Monday, July 19, 2004

The psychology of slots - the crack cocaine of the casino

The psychology of slots: Hooking players on hope

As million pound slot jackpot continue to make headlines in the UK, back in the US, the issue of legalising slots in certain states is also catching the eye of the media.

Great slots is all about the maths that sits behind the machine. And good hit frequency. Slots are highly volatile games that pay incrementally - with the added bonus of repetitive sounds, good graphics, bonus rounds and the 'tease' of the jackpot.

The slots player has always been of interest to many gambling psychologist who specialise in addiction.

Apparantly, slot players exhibit persistant positive thinking despite knowing they're more likely to lose. This can also lead to maladaptive behaviour - leading to addiction.
Psychologists boil this down to the perception of the 'near win' rather than the 'constant loss'. Players 'think' the machine is about to payout - despite the total randomness built into the game.
Whilst payout percentages that can run into the high 90's, as the bankroll decreases, so does the return.
More from the article

Ultimately, not every slots player becomes an addict. Taken in moderation, slots are fun and are becoming increasingly complex as players demand 'more for their money'. Slots aren't everyone's idea of a fun gambling game, but they have their place in casinos - for the quick thrill and the easy game. A large part of the reason why slots are so popular is that they are less 'threatening' than the table game - and require no interaction with other players - or intimate knowledge of the intricacies and habits of other games. There's no startegy or thinking involved - its as simple to play as a lottery and with the potential of just as big a win - and that, for many people, is all they want at a casino.

They are, with their flashing lights and persistant noise - the ultimate advertisement for all that Las Vegas stands for.

Play slots online:
Intercasino UK



posted by jo @ 6:04 PM   0 comments

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