What makes a good poker player? What makes someone amazing at playing in a casino?
For the latter, many people assume (probably due to the movie Rain Man) that success in a casino requires someone to be a whizz at calculating odds and counting cards. In live poker, it is common to assume that someone can win a game by having complete control of their facial muscles, also known as a ‘poker face’, and by making huge bluffs. Of course, the truth is quite different.
But what about people who flip between the two? What draws them to this?
Skill-Transfer Player
Not to get too scientific, but a study by Langer in 1975 found that those who like flipping between these two game types and consider the skills transferable often exhibit a cognitive bias related to the “illusion of control.” So, if someone is playing on Jackpotcitycasino.com, they may feel that they will have more of an influence on the randomised outcomes. Poker involves skilled players having elements of positive expected value, due to being able to read their opponents, play a superior strategy and not tilting when things don’t go their way.
Someone who has this kind of cognitive bias can be, unfortunately, likely to have higher losses in casino games. The gambler’s fallacy is a cognitive error where individuals mistakenly believe that the outcomes of independent events are connected, for example thinking you can’t run bad after running bad for a long time. This leads them to make irrational predictions based on previous results.
Switching Tilt Player
Now, this is not to say that all people who flip between the two think the game types are similar.
It is exceedingly common on online gaming platforms for people to switch between playing poker and games of chance, usually in a set order. For instance, they may have been engaged in many formats of poker including live and online play, and due to fatigue or a lapse in their emotional regulation also known as tilt control (a core skill in poker), they may decide to quit the game in frustration. Switching to a complete game of chance, like an online slot machine, can help to tilt their mood back to a more stable state while also giving them space to reflect. But, it can also result in losses.
The Entertainment Seeker
Both poker and games of chance are entertaining and exciting to the human brain; there is a reason why the Wynn Las Vegas casino is estimated at $1.69 billion.
Shifting between poker and casino games mixes up the gaming type, which helps to add to the entertainment value of the gaming experience, focusing on the fun rather than the profit. This tactic also reduces overall pressure and can help someone to destress, even if they are playing online. However, it should be noted that in this personality profile, due to the lack of focus on winning, it is also easy to underestimate losses, which can even lead to risks being seen as lower than they are.
The Variance Player
In a similar vein, there are many types of casino games, and some players are looking for even more variability in their gaming. So, they may sporadically switch from poker to slots, to table bets, to a game of blackjack, and so on. Why? It makes the process even more engaging and (allegedly) ups the chance of a substantial payout.
The downside is predictable; there is no guaranteed payout, and by having a smorgasbord of games to play, the risk of loss can be high.
If you play casino games, it’s highly recommended to to play responsibly and understand that in casino games you can’t gain a statistical edge without utilizing bonuses. You should also exercise self-control not to place the bets too high, no mater if you’re running well or bad.
