Why does ‘almost winning’ mean more than losing?

[Cantsay]

I wonder: could it be this expectation that keeps people more engaged in the game than actual victories?

Can you answer this question for me? 

In most cases, Yes, it is.

I think u have mention this in several other threads, casinos n understand this near miss psychology and they have so much mastered it to the extent that even those who have good control over themselves will still be affected by it if they are not careful enough.

You see that moment when you start contemplating whether you should just give it a second try to see if it will work out this time or not, that’s the moment you have lost it to the near miss effect and subsequently you’ll find yourself doing it more often until you start to see it as the norm.

[aioc]

I've never played, but I find it very interesting how "almost winning" seems to affect players so much. Even without direct experience, you can see that this feeling of "nearly missing out" affects one's emotions and can make one try again, seeking that victory that almost happened.

I wonder: could it be this expectation that keeps people more engaged in the game than actual victories?

It's a human reaction to be disappointed in something that escaped you when it was already within reach, not only in gambling but in every interaction.
It's a potential money that you could have had if only things had gone your way by a small gap. Losing hurts, but it hurts more when you almost had it, then lose out in the last seconds.
I experienced betting on a fighter who was almost winning but lost in an upset in the closing minute. This one hurts because the expectation is up, then it went crashing.

[alegotardo]

I've never played, but I find it very interesting how "almost winning" seems to affect players so much. Even without direct experience, you can see that this feeling of "nearly missing out" affects one's emotions and can make one try again, seeking that victory that almost happened.

I wonder: could it be this expectation that keeps people more engaged in the game than actual victories?

Can you answer this question for me? 

So... I have the perception of the "almost winning" is sometimes more addictive than the victory... I think that when we get so close to the prize, our brain reacts as if the reward were just a step away, as if it were already a sure thing and then it releases dopamine (or whatever the hormone its called), and that is why its so frustrating when we lose at this exact moment.

Casinos like to keep us motivated... I think that is why they work with such a small statistical margin, but still one that'ss mathematically favorable to them... they want to keep us in that moment of almost winning, because if they tried to obtain a statistical result greater in their favor, our wins would be very scarce and would make us give up too soon.

The "almost winning" brings us tension, expectation, and hope... it is much more lasting emotion than the moment of victory, and that is why we are so captivated by the game... it takes discipline and emotional control to know how to maintain control.

[Darker45]

Expectation must play a vital role in the minds of gamblers. Or perhaps not really expectation but the thought of the possibility of winning. "Almost winning" events must be big factor in making them believe that possibility is well within reach, to the point that some are probably expecting. But victories don't just come, and so the the more focused, engaged, determined they are, the more they lose, the happier the casino.

I'm talking about random games. I'm referring to the "almosts" in jackpots, huge multipliers, and the like.

[nara1892]

From my personal experience it is true that the situation of "almost winning" can make me feel more motivated and challenged and yes, this situation makes me want to play again especially when I am still trapped in addiction, meaning that continuing to play and feeling excessively attracted by this situation will most likely only happen to gamblers who are already addicted, but for those who are not addicted it may also have a little influence and attract more interest to play again than usual, but overall, gamblers will feel more interested in playing after experiencing this situation if for example they are gambling to make money.