What's in the game, after all?

[deisik]

To be explicit and begin with, by gambling I mean playing only the games of chance (think dice here), i.e. games where your skill doesn't matter, where the outcome is determined by luck alone

As the debates and discussions here clearly show, there are two major camps in respect to the question why people are gambling. The first camp claim that people gamble because they are looking for ways to earn money (something like the notorious "get rich fast" scheme). The other camp say there are as well people who gamble just for the fun of it (to be clear, they don't deny the monetary incentives of some, or most, of the players). Let's call such an attitude personal enjoyment as that seems to be the established term (you're welcome to come up with a different name for it)

To reassert, I'm not discarding the possibility that quite a few people may be looking into gambling as a source of easy money (whether it actually is, or can be, is another question), or that it can in fact be their primary incentive. But this topic is not about such people. In this topic I want to dissect and analyze the other group of gamblers (and their motivations), the one that is actually playing for its own sake, for personal enjoyment and entertainment. And here's the question (a few questions) to muse over while taking a break from rolling the dice

What is exactly meant and understood by this "personal enjoyment" generic category? Is it one feeling, or are there many? What do people actually feel when gambling with motives other than purely financial? What do they get out of it? My take is that they are feeling in control of their fate, even if only for very brief moments. Simply put, that they are not losers, and luck is on their side, at least sometimes. Indeed, we all know that this feeling is fleeting and false overall, but it is so nice and pleasant that we are ready to pay for it, up to a point where we get addicted to it

So what's your take on this? What's in the game for those of us who are not looking for anything other than personal enjoyment and amusement? Be specific!

[Duzter]

Whether it is the one with the mind of earning out of gambling or the one preferring it is a source of entertainment mostly prefer Dice than any other games available with the casinos. Maybe this is based on the simplest way the game is being developed and the prediction possibility which when played with friends can create some fun moments. However gambling is all about money, and the real fun and entertainment happens when one makes a win when they didn't expect it. Another thing majority reveals that they Play for fun, but that isn't the truth.

[maydna]

I think personal enjoyment is one feeling inside us that only we will know because other people will not know how that feeling and that feeling will be different between other people. I don't have any feeling in gambling except for enjoying the moment I played because I don't have motives for financial.

When I play dice games, I want to release my free time because I don't know what I want to do, so I decide to play the dice game, and when I remember what I should do, I will close the browser and do what I remember. Although that will be a short time for me to playing a dice game, I am okay with that because I don't search for making money.

[Steamtyme]

I can't speak to most sites or what they have for visuals. I do imagine anyone who plays dice online likely started spinning slots irl. These machines are designed to induce a sense of sensory overload and pleasure. It keeps you coming back by using bright shiny flashy and loud stimulus to fake a sense of happiness and euphoria. Think about the way you felt walking through the midway at a carnival... everything is great. So I imagine the sites that players say they play the most on just for fun provide something similar.
The few times I played a plinko style game I thought it was similar I got to watch all the dice bouncing around and there was that edge of your seat anticipation if you could hit the big multiplier or not. I can't even remember if it was with real funds or simply a small faucet on the site. Either way it was small amounts but did provide that brief sense of enjoyment. With respect to dice, I didn't see the same ideas at play. There it was more about feeling like you could bring a strategy to play by changing around the multiplier... is that right, whatever it is to set your win/loss threshold for the role. 

[GreatArkansas]

To be explicit and begin with, by gambling I mean playing only the games of chance (think dice here), i.e. games where your skill doesn't matter, where the outcome is determined by luck alone
(......)

For me, in gambling, it's not totally luck alone.
It also comes with your emotion doing in gambling, like in trading, has risk management.

What is exactly meant and understood by this "personal enjoyment" generic category?

Yeah, quite confusing this but for sure, it's totally something self pleasure when doing gambling, more entertaining our ownselfs

[andycarrol]

What is exactly meant and understood by this "personal enjoyment" generic category?

Yeah, quite confusing this but for sure, it's totally something self pleasure when doing gambling, more entertaining our ownselfs.

honestly I get pleasure when I play poker because I like strategy games, maybe the fun side of poker is that this game really doesn't depend on luck. but in other types of games such as pure luck, I don't get the pleasure of every play, in my opinion, only victory makes us happy. but it is indeed difficult to gauge the level of pleasure of others, maybe for them it is fun, and vice versa for me it's normal.

[Darker45]

Well, first and foremost, that "feeling in control of their fate" is never a reason. On the contrary, when gambling (at least as far as games of chance are concerned), that control is totally non-existent, unless you are setting the chances of winning to around 90%. But when I play dice, for example, I normally set it at 50%. The fun that comes from there is that out of that equal chances of winning and losing, if you turn out a winner, that somehow gives you a feeling that you are lucky. And since you (perhaps) love the metaphysical approach, it gives you the feeling that the universe is on your side. And that is fun; it gives you a light feeling.

Another could be the fun coming from going up against the house, which has an edge over you, and turning out the winner. Testing different strategies is also fun despite being aware deep inside that it won't succeed in the long run. Oftentimes it is already fun seeing that your new strategy is lasting more than the previous one.

Finally, during those hours when you seem to have nothing else to do and the seconds go very slow, rolling the dice is keeping you sane.

[Tipstar]

It's actually the nature of human. Though they know the risk, they want to take it. Life of people are getting dull and repetitive everyday. Online gambling is a new type of fight club.
The reward in gambling is more satisfying and once people get used to it, they don't care about the lose. The thrill, the excitement is what people after.

[Yatsan]

The gambling for fun for me or the "personal enjoyment" type of gambling is when I go out with my friends and have fun at the casino or on some low-class gambling place. It's more like bonding time with my friends as we gamble our money at a casino, or if we play billiards, betting who would win on that game. Personally, gambling for my friends and me is one way to get together and have fun.

If we compare it to online gambling, which I am going to play solo, I think it's one way to enjoy myself just like watching a movie on cinema or something. I don't know how to describe it, but I enjoy playing poker, and I enjoy the thrill in every game. I think when you are going to categorize playing for fun and playing to earn, it's more personal for me. Because it depends on the people on what purpose they are gambling or are they just playing for fun.

[Blackdeath]

In my own personal opinion, if a person is looking for a game, he should pick the games that he is good at while having fun that he is not only preferring on winning by chance that he should also prefer in making strategy like playing poker, baccarat, pusoy or also known as chinese poker. Playing a dice ia all about chances and prediction, so i think everybody can play it, but playing card games like poker, baccarat and pusoy not everybody can play it.

[Wexnident]

There's this kind of thrill involved when playing gambling games. You know, how like you're waiting for the end result and you've already set your choices ahead. Some feel that kind of thrill which is true at times, but honestly, the way gamblers enjoy the game is pretty simple. They don't treat it as a "gamble". They treat it as a "game". See, gambling games are games in a sense, but because of the money involved, a lot of factors are taken into account, making the decision making way too strenuous and serious, which seriously undermines the definition of what a "game" is supposed to be, which is for fun.

[deisik]

Well, first and foremost, that "feeling in control of their fate" is never a reason. On the contrary, when gambling (at least as far as games of chance are concerned), that control is totally non-existent, unless you are setting the chances of winning to around 90%

But I'm not talking about reason here

It is more about feeling that way, i.e. feeling all-powerful, supreme, and godlike. We can't tame luck but when we win after losing, we feel like we are finally able to, even if for a brief moment. Indeed, this is all false objectively. But what we feel can't be fake or false subjectively, i.e. how we actually experience it. We are made to trust our feelings. Technically, this is how our brains are wired. That's also the reason why there are so many scams and frauds out there because they appeal directly to emotion which obfuscates and clouds our reason

But when I play dice, for example, I normally set it at 50%. The fun that comes from there is that out of that equal chances of winning and losing, if you turn out a winner, that somehow gives you a feeling that you are lucky. And since you (perhaps) love the metaphysical approach, it gives you the feeling that the universe is on your side. And that is fun; it gives you a light feeling

But that's what I'm talking about. You understandably feel good, but what is that feeling good made of? If you get the feeling that the universe is on your side, doesn't it mean that you are controlling your chances, i.e. things bending to your will and happening how you envisage them?

[Red_Evil]

Yes, there's no such skill on gambling, at leats we have control to get drive how the money be flow. Back to purpose what the gambler deal for. Everyone have many things to deal with gambling, that must be include "personal enjoyment" "purely financial", or probably "both".
"Personal enjoyment" : It's talking about thrill between games and gambler. Then really didn't care about risk on financial.
"Purely financial" : It's possible happend, but that is wrong way to think get change of life with wishing could catch up the jackpots.
"both" meant to, some people could be mature to aware the risk of gambling. so when gambler do gambling they wish could get amusement accompanied get a money as the rewards.

[Lecam]

To be explicit and begin with, by gambling I mean playing only the games of chance (think dice here), i.e. games where your skill doesn't matter, where the outcome is determined by luck alone

As the debates and discussions here clearly show, there are two major camps in respect to the question why people are gambling. The first camp claim that people gamble because they are looking for ways to earn money (something like the "get rich fast" scheme). The other camp say there are as well people who gamble just for the fun of it (to be clear, they don't deny the monetary incentives of some, or most, of the players). Let's call such an attitude personal enjoyment as that seems to be the established term (but you're welcome to come with a different name for it)

To reassert, I'm not discarding the possibility that quite a few people may be looking into gambling as a source of easy money (whether it actually is or can be is another question), or that it can in fact be their primary incentive. But this topic is not about such people. In this topic I want to dissect and analyze the other group of gamblers (and their motivations), the one that is actually playing for its own sake, for personal enjoyment and entertainment. And here's the question (a few questions) to muse over while taking a break from rolling the dice

What is exactly meant and understood by this "personal enjoyment" generic category? Is it one feeling or there are many? What do people actually feel when gambling with motives other than purely financial? What do they get out of it? My take is that they are feeling in control of their fate, even if only for very brief moments. Simply put, that they are not losers, and luck is on their side, at least sometimes. Indeed, we all know that this feeling is fleeting and false overall, but it is so nice and pleasant that we are ready to pay for it, up to a point where we get addicted to it

So what's your take on this? What's in the game for those of us who are not looking for anything other than personal enjoyment and amusement? Be specific!

True there are 2 ways to gamble first is to win money to earn second is for fun to those who need to relax by gambling. 2 ways but most of all they gamble for them to win money and to earn an easg money in gambling. But many people are fall because instead of winning they are become addicted until the all money are get lose.

[NavI_027]

"both" meant to, some people could be mature to aware the risk of gambling. so when gambler do gambling they wish could get amusement accompanied get a money as the rewards.

If you're not earning even a 5 digit salary or the worse part is that you're only a minimum wage earner then stick with this mindset. Why settle for entertainment alone if you can have a chance of making not only yout soul happy but also your pocket . Some of you might asked why I didn't consider gambling as main financial source, that's because of instability — you're feeling like a millionaire today but feel beggar tomorrow. If you only seek for money then find it anywhere else (choose business and employment), gambling is not the best place for it. Always mind the lessons you get from "riches to rags" stories.

[virasog]

"both" meant to, some people could be mature to aware the risk of gambling. so when gambler do gambling they wish could get amusement accompanied get a money as the rewards.

If you're not earning even a 5 digit salary or the worse part is that you're only a minimum wage earner then stick with this mindset. Why settle for entertainment alone if you can have a chance of making not only yout soul happy but also your pocket . Some of you might asked why I didn't consider gambling as main financial source, that's because of instability — you're feeling like a millionaire today but feel beggar tomorrow. If you only seek for money then find it anywhere else (choose business and employment), gambling is not the best place for it. Always mind the lessons you get from "riches to rags" stories.

There are very few stories where the gamblers won a lottery or a very big amount, which changed their lives. We should not refer to those examples when thinking of earning money from gambling. The reality is that there are many examples where the rich and middle class persons have lost all their wealth and become hand to mouth, only by losing everything in gambling.
Gambling is a very risky game which can make your life miserable, if you do not limit yourself.

[Red_Evil]

"both" meant to, some people could be mature to aware the risk of gambling. so when gambler do gambling they wish could get amusement accompanied get a money as the rewards.

If you're not earning even a 5 digit salary or the worse part is that you're only a minimum wage earner then stick with this mindset. Why settle for entertainment alone if you can have a chance of making not only yout soul happy but also your pocket . Some of you might asked why I didn't consider gambling as main financial source, that's because of instability — you're feeling like a millionaire today but feel beggar tomorrow. If you only seek for money then find it anywhere else (choose business and employment), gambling is not the best place for it. Always mind the lessons you get from "riches to rags" stories.

Personally I do gambling for both not meant money are major, I didn't explain about gambling are good way to healing financial, but I talking about you can have a chance "rewards" also entertainment yourself.
What is kind statistic or border about under 5 digit salary are bad things?

[LogitechMouse]

So what's your take on this? What's in the game for those of us who are not looking for anything other than personal enjoyment and amusement? Be specific!

In my opinion, when they say "Personal Enjoyment" I think what they mean is stress-reliever. Maybe for some, "Personal Enjoyment" for them is bonding with other friends thru gambling.

I always say that people are gambling for personal enjoyment or fun but on the other hand, what if they lose their money will they feel the enjoyment that they want to feel?? There are many ways for the people to gain this personal enjoyment. You can get enjoyment when you play online games or travel with your family. You can gain enjoyment when you play arcade games in malls or drink with your friends.

[panganib999]

But that's what I'm talking about. You understandably feel good, but what is that feeling good made of? If you get the feeling that the universe is on your side, doesn't it mean that you are controlling your chances, i.e. things bending to your will and happening how you envisage them?

Not answering on his stead, but kind of yes. It's a very stupid feeling, like you can actually say, "The world is in the palm of my hands" kind of thing? See, not saying for others but for me, My sense of satisfaction is actually pretty easy to sate. Just let someone sing praises for me like every now and then, and I'd actually blow my horn about it all the time. I guess that's how gambling games are made so that they can entice more people to play. The sense of satisfaction you get is one that you rarely obtain because well, lets be honest, who wins every time in gambling right? So when you do, there's this feeling of euphoria or something similar

[robelneo]

So what's your take on this? What's in the game for those of us who are not looking for anything other than personal enjoyment and amusement? Be specific!

There's really nothing at all, I am playing to have some fun, I just want to fulfill my inner longings to have some excitement, it's on my feeing we just want to have a stress reliever that's all I'm not also playing because it is a routine, I just play when I want to and where my time allows, I just don't want to define how I play and why I play.