Gambling Psychology

What It Means to Chase Losses Chasing losses is what happens when emotion overrides logic. It usually kicks in after a tough loss when instead of stepping back, you double down. You tell yourself that the next bigger bet will bring it all back. It rarely does. This behavior is driven by a false belief: […]

What Counts as a Near Miss In gaming and gambling, a near miss is when you almost win but don’t. You line up two cherries on the slot machine, the third just slips past. You scratch off three numbers, and two match. Your team leads all game but loses in the final seconds. These moments

Why Your Feelings Impact Your Bets Emotions play a major role in decision making, especially when money and risk are involved. In betting, the psychological high and low of wins and losses can quickly lead to irrational behavior. Emotional Thinking vs. Rational Betting Understanding the difference between emotional and rational thinking is key to staying

Understanding The Gambler’s Fallacy The Gambler’s Fallacy refers to the erroneous belief that if something happens more frequently than normal during a given period, it will happen less frequently in the future, or vice versa. This fallacy can be especially misleading in games of chance where each event is independent of previous events. One common

The Psychology Behind Jackpots Jackpots captivate with promises of instant wealth and a life transformed. Their allure relies heavily on human psychology, which drives behavior in fascinating ways. The Thrill of Risk and Reward Big wins tap into the basic human penchant for risk-taking. Jackpots offer substantial rewards, making the risk seem worth it. The

What Is Compulsive Gambling? Compulsive gambling, or gambling disorder, refers to the uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the negative consequences. This disorder affects 1-2% of the US population, according to the National Center for Responsible Gaming. Key Characteristics Diagnostic Criteria The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) outlines specific criteria for diagnosing

Understanding the Psychology of Gambling The psychology of gambling can significantly influence a gambler’s behavior and decision-making. Recognizing key psychological factors helps in maintaining rationality during gambling activities. The Role of Dopamine Dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain, plays a crucial role in the pleasure and reward system. When a person gambles, dopamine levels rise,

Understanding Dopamine Dopamine’s central to the brain’s reward system. It’s a neurotransmitter that transmits signals between nerve cells. When we experience something pleasurable, like winning a bet, dopamine’s released, reinforcing behaviors and making them more likely to be repeated. Several brain regions are involved in dopamine production and release. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) produces

Understanding Sunk Costs To grasp why people chase losses, it’s crucial to understand the concept of sunk costs and how they impact decision-making. Definition and Examples Sunk costs represent past expenses that can’t be recovered. Once incurred, these costs shouldn’t affect future decisions. For instance, if I’ve spent $50 on a non-refundable concert ticket but