Gambling can be quite attractive and tempting to try due to the lure of large winnings and jackpots. There’s always the element of trying out your luck, but in reality, gambling takes a lot more than luck. We may sometimes be enticed by seeing gamblers who make consistent winnings or those who bet big and win big prizes. But have we considered if they were able to achieve that easily? We’ll explore here, why gambling is way harder than it looks.
The Element of Uncertainty Can Get You Hooked
One of the most common features of gambling is uncertainty. You just are not sure about the size of the jackpot or your chances of winning. Our brain releases dopamine during enjoyable activities such as eating, playing, sex, etc. It also releases dopamine during times where the reward is uncertain, as in the case of gambling. This gives the player high levels of pleasure comparable to the high that some people get when on drugs. When that happens, an individual’s capacity for decision-making can be clouded most of the time with feelings of elation and excitement.
You Are Exposed to an Immersive Environment
Again, your rational thinking can most of the be left at the door when you enter a casino or play online gambling through our PC or mobile app. Brick-and-mortar casinos and online casinos both share the same enticing elements – attractive lights, sights and sounds. In fact, this can be considered a universal element in casinos, wherever they may be located around the world. From Indonesia’s slot online uang asli to USA’s online slots, there is always the element of stunning graphics, attractive themes and lights and sounds that egg you to play on. These elements add to the mood of excitement and the thrill of uncertainty which can lead players to play relying on pure luck and less on strategy and patience. Also, these attractive visual and auditory elements can lead gamblers to overestimate how often they are winning and they can keep them playing longer and faster.
Gaining True Profit Takes Time and Patience
Whatever your favorite gambling game is, you just can’t rely on pure luck and gut feel every time you play. Casinos are business establishments, and like all businesses, their objective is to gain profit in order to continue operating. The good thing is that most popular land-based and online gambling sites are licensed and regulated by distinguished regulatory authorities to ensure that the games are played fairly and the winnings are promptly paid. But that is no reason to be complacent. While it’s true that casinos can always find different ways of earning profit and raking in revenues, most of the winning relies on the ability and skills of the gambler. If you are a gambler that can be easily swayed by emotions, you are most likely to spend more than your bankroll – the money you set aside that you can afford to lose – and this can lead to the condition called problematic gambling. If you really aim to make some decent profits and gain some value in your winnings, you have to play smart, patient and rationally. The casino environment is always meant to hype up the excitement and sensations to make gamblers play more.
Gambling Has Unseen Challenges
Casinos have done a good job of keeping their gambling games under the veil of being fun and exciting. Gambling is actually a challenging activity once you step inside a casino. Your resolve and your rational thinking are put to the test as attractive lights, shows, and sounds surround you. To walk out a true winner, you have to at least make some winnings on top of gaining your original wager. This is particularly true when playing modern slot games. Casinos and gaming manufacturers have upgraded their slot machines from the mechanical arm machines to electronic slot machines that have computerized games and with colorful lights and sounds. The standard 3-reel line has been replaced with machines having multiple reels and lines. Still, having multiple lines also means you have to bet on most, if not all of the lines available. This strategy gives players the impression that they are still winning even if they lose on some lines. Most of the time, less than half of the total number of lines you bet on are winning lines, while more than half are losing ones. You still get some fabulous lights and sounds from the winning lines, which give you the false impression of a win when in reality, you are only winning less than the original amount you wagered. This is the phenomenon that is known as “losses disguised as wins”, which even seasoned gamblers struggle to overcome.
In essence gambling takes a lot of factors in order to be a true winner. It takes a strong sense of mind over matter, as gambling can be particularly influential on the conditioning of our minds. We need to be prepared and well-equipped with knowledge before we venture into this activity. If not, there is a high chance that our gambling can become problematic and out of control. Thus, always stick to your game plan and impose self-discipline when you gamble. Your true reward may not be instantly achieved, but stay patient and focused in order to achieve it.