From Rituals and Superstitions to Strategy and Planning in Online Gaming
Since the world is getting more and more digital by the minute, the world of gambling has to keep up. Gone are the days when you had to go to a land casino to spin the reels of game machines and play table games. Now, you can do everything from the comfort of your own home.
The Digitalization of Gamer Rewards
Naturally, the way casinos treat customers has also changed. From free meals and drinks, we moved to casino free spins no deposit, or other casino bonuses that gamblers can use to treat themselves to a better gambling experience. If you are not familiar with these incentives, many gamblers will tell you that they are, in fact, better than the land casino treats gamblers used to receive. That’s because the casino basically contributes directly to a person’s account, giving them the chance to play more.
With the free spins, game enthusiasts can play online games without risking their own money. It’s a great way to test a new casino and see if it delivers what it promises; so many people are on the lookout for promos that allow them to test, play, and have fun.
Of course, the online world also requires new strategies that attract new rituals and maybe even create new superstitions. We will examine gambler behavior from the perspective of rituals, superstitions, and strategy.
How Do Superstitions and Planning Mix to Create a Personalized Gaming Ritual
Perfect Timing
Time of play was also a consideration for gamblers. Part of it is superstition, part of it is strategy. When it comes to land casinos, gamblers have to carefully consider when to gamble to avoid rush hour and maximize their chances of winning. Superstitions played a part, too, considering that some gamblers have lucky hours or days.
The online world is no different! Gamblers try to gamble outside of peak hours to maximize their chances. This oftentimes means staying up all night to begin playing online games at 2 AM. Jackpots are different. Here, part of the planning strategy involves not gambling immediately after a jackpot win.
Additionally, some people believe the end of the month is the best time for progressive jackpots because more people play, and the jackpot win can be significantly bigger. The lucky day and lucky hour apply online just as much as they do offline. This, of course, varies from player to player, but more often than not, gamblers will avoid certain days.
Mobile Accessibility
The most important aspect to mention is that mobile accessibility makes it easy for gamblers to choose when they engage in gambling fun. No casino schedule to deal with, no transportation needed, no accommodations required—playing from the comfort of their own home means they get to choose their schedule without taking other factors into account.
Pre-Spin Rituals
Some players recite a mantra or set an intention before making a wager or pressing the “spin” button. The old method of speaking one’s desires into existence is known as manifestation.
Others like to create the perfect mood and ambiance. Usually, gamblers will try to have the same mindset they had the last time they won. This not only extends to how they feel but also to their environment. Hence, some players will decorate or arrange their rooms to match the way their environment looked during their last win.
According to Psychology Today, dopamine plays a key role in generating seeking behavior. Dopamine makes people want, crave, and look for. It raises the overall arousal and makes people more goal-oriented. This creates an anticipation for the potential reward, making the process of preparing the environment for a win a very important task for gamblers.
From Chance to Patterns
Based on a journal article published by the American Psychological Association, chance encounters lead to skills, values, and emotional ties. Circling back to the beginning of our first point, planning their playing time oftentimes begins with an emotional tie a gambler has for a certain day or time of day. This is in part due to the psychology of chance that, in a person’s mind, can feel like a skill.
Why Behavioral Patterns Are So Common
People are creatures of comfort. Patterns help us navigate the world and allow us to feel in control of our lives and our futures. Believing everything is random and nothing is under our control can be quite a stressful experience. Hence, certain rituals create a comforting feeling and calm down our nerves.
In time, these patterns of behavior turn into full-fledged rituals and superstitions. As long as they do not turn into toxic or problematic behaviors, the rituals are good for people. Of course, with gambling, there is an additional risk—developing an addiction. That’s why it is important for anyone who gambles never to chase any losses and to never go over budget.
Why Do Gamers Believe In Rituals
A loaded question, for sure, because the answer can differ from individual to individual. Some people might have superstitions associated with their cultural or religious beliefs. In contrast, others can be solely involved in ritualistic behaviors due to the nature of human psychology and the illusion of control these behaviors create.
Ultimately, these rituals are important because they provide the player with comfort and control, even though their effectiveness in the context of random number generators and algorithms is questionable. They serve as a reminder that, despite technological advancements, the human element, with all of its peculiarities and eccentricities, remains at the center of the gambling experience.
Conclusion
Whether they rely on strategy or rituals, at the end of the day, there is no formula set in place for gambling success. And, as long as players gamble responsibly, neither the rituals nor the strategy has a negative effect.
Gambling is for entertainment purposes only, and gamblers should never use it to chase wins based on timing. There is no set formula for “how to win.” There are strategies and rituals that gamblers can try, but the random nature of the industry means wins are never guaranteed.
What do you think is the best approach to online gambling—strategy or ritual?