Gambling is defined as betting on an uncertain outcome or taking a risk in the hope of gaining an advantage. However, this aftermath uncertainty reveals totally different values with our two main competitors in this epic battle of the games. The psychology factors which go into choosing one over the other have been super interesting to me especially as someone who really enjoys both game types equally. Skill-based games have a significantly fuller set of advantages when it comes to winning (what we are all playing for in the first place) yet somehow games of chance have always had just as huge fan base as their opponent. Sounds weird, right? So, let’s dig in and find out the reasons for this seemingly irrational statement.

Games of Skill or the Thrill of Being in Control

With games of skill, the player is allowed to influence the outcome by making decisions. There is still a good amount of luck involved, the house advantage is also absolutely present but as opposed to all games of odds, here it can be affected by the player’s smart moves. The only skill required is to think, follow a strategy or do fast mathematical calculations. If you have practiced enough, you will be able to lower the house edge and have a significantly better chance of winning. However, the most common reason for choosing a game of skill is the subconsciously influencing human desire to demonstrate proficiency. The feeling of accomplishing anything thanks to your own mental capacity makes all wins 100 times more satisfying! A regular win may seem as hitting a huge jackpot! And it’s true – players spend a lot of time researching, practicing, memorizing strategies just in the search for that feeling of self-satisfaction. Whether we want to admit it or not, our ego is the main influencer of most of our decisions!

Games of Chance – Let it Be!

These are the games where success is out of your hands. Luck, fate, RNG, luck, call it whatever you want, they are the ones in charge. Once you place a bet, the house advantage is predetermined and there is not a lot of thinking, strategy or what so ever involved. No skills, no effort, the pure essential of modern entertainment. But why we go for the uncertainty of randomness then? Reason number one is that sometimes not thinking is how we can truly experience entertainment. Not everything has to be so complicated! Second, every success which is not expected adds the element of surprise and increases the overall joy of playing, that thrill is what some players, like myself, seek and enjoy. And lastly, not being in control provides the perfect excuse not to feel bad when losing which we all face from time to time.

So, I hope, this brought some new perspectives about why we tend to prefer skill or chance-based games and I hope to come back soon with more psychology driven gambling topics.

Gamblers love to win! Actually, we all love winning! But, there is this weird psychology-proven fact that, as opposed to other people, gamblers get high even when they lose. It has something to do with producing adrenalin and endorphins, seeking entertainment and tolerating losses as an ordinary part of the game! Even though there is nothing bad to be ok with losing, the line between playing for the pure excitement of it and ending up broke or in debt is extremely thin! And more importantly, it’s entirely our responsibility to maintain a “healthy” relationship with our gambling finances. Here is how I do it!

Get the Best Bonus Offer

My top advice is to do a detailed research before picking an online casino and your game of choice. All online platforms will try and seduce you with tempting welcome bonus offers, loyalty programs, and various other treats. They know how the human brain works! We love free stuff, promo deals, or if you let me rephrase – we like to feel special. Before committing to the first offer which shows up, make sure to get to know the terms and conditions that come along with it. A really generous proposal could turn out to be a total disappointment! So, read carefully and make sure to grant yourself the best start by adding some free cash to your account.

Mind the RTP

The Return to Player indicator is the percentage of winnings awarded to the total stakes played. Each game has a different RTP and its value is very important when choosing the optimal game. The opposite of RTP is the house edge – this is the casino’s built-in profit on every bet. Doesn’t matter which of the two you will lean on, just make sure to go for the higher numbers when it comes to RTP and the lowest possible when researching the house edge. Choosing the most colourful and fun slot or the most fancy-looking roulette table may be entertaining but a good bankroll management means always putting the RTP before any other game feature.

Daily Limits are a Must

I left this one for last with the intention to make it the last thing you will read and hopefully the one you will remember for sure. Setting a daily limit is what can save you from a lot of trouble. It is basically the same as having a monthly budget! We all try and stick with it in our everyday activities, so it’s more than reasonable to introduce this good practice into our gambling reality as well. Once you have figured out your limit, make sure to never find an excuse to go over it. I know it can be tempting but it’s worth it, trust me! Discipline is the way to be successful not only in gambling but in life in general.

So, to sum it all up, I’d like to end this with two words only! Research and Self-control!

Hello there and welcome to my first blog! My name is Olivia Patel, I am a freelance architect, a mother of two, and a passionate gambler! The idea of Peer to Peer networks has always fascinated me with its simple yet brilliant concept of equality, sharing, and community. For those of you who are not familiar, it is a technique based on peers working together whereas each of them contributes with what they do best for the sake of building or achieving a goal with much higher proficiency.

So, here is the short story of how I come across the idea for this blog. I was thinking, if gambling is what I’m actually good at, I would love to share my personal experience with everybody who’s interested in online casino matters. However, the key advantage is, it will all be coming from someone who is a peer, equal to you – a consumer and a supplier, an active player and a host all at once.! If I’ve been there myself, it will be so fulfilling to develop a platform, the perfect assistant for someone looking for a specific answer or just a piece of advice on how to find the right online casino or claim the biggest welcome bonus. A space focused not really on me as a writer, more so on US as a shared community which hopefully will thrive thanks to your support and my consistent effort to deliver the most dynamic and various casino-related topics as from now on.

To stop with the rambling, I call all my gambler peers out there! Come and join me if my plan sounds appealing to you! I’ll be more than happy to have you as a partner, friend, and supporter!