Gambling as a form of Mental Sports

[summonerrk]

Well, it may be the opinion of others, but it is not universally agreed upon. Gambling is a game of money, while sports are about exerting one's full energy, not just the mind. In fact, sports educators never mention gambling as a way to energize your mind and become active. If we have to understand deeply, sports are to become healthy but not for gambling. I think you already know that many gamblers become addicted and ruin their mental health. That is enough to consider that gambling should not be taken seriously, unlike sports.

People will probably always be very careful about everything they invest in, and casinos are a testament to that. After all, many don't even think they can control anything there, and even if they can, they pay so much attention to it that they might even consider it a mental sport, like chess.
But if casinos weren't a game of chance, then of course no one would try so hard to develop their strategies or come up with new tactics. Everyone would simply think it was some kind of fun, a very funny game.

[alegotardo]

The concept of gambling as a form of mental sports refers to the deployment of mental strength in some skill-based games and without physical display of strength or fitness.

Games like Chess, Blackjack, poker and even Sports betting fits in this criterion since professionals employ some good strategies, calculations and even critical analysis before taking the decision on your next line of action. These mental involvements stretch your mind and success in them is a product of strategy, constant practice, psychology and accurate decision under pressure.

It is true... and it is not wonder that many of these high level players spend much or more time as any others "traditional" athletes to preparing their minds before a game.

I just think you need to be careful about one difference... in games like chess, winning or losing doesn ot involve the direct risk of financial loss. In gambling, however, this is always present and thats why I think the "nature" of the practice changes significantly... or are you going to tell me that the pressure of money does not distort your rational analysis or lead you to make impulsive and emotional decisions? I am sure it do!

I see them as different factors... one where mental ability still predominates (poker, ches...) and another where luck inevitably dominates (gambling).

[Outhue]

If you need good mental state and mental health I suggest you should go for yoga training or exercises, this will help you than trying to fix your mental health using gambling, if money is involved it's a fluke for the mind, you are just deceiving yourself.

Maybe there are some good mind games out there in the world you can tell me but I haven't seen one, if there is there won't be therapists out there, like I have said before, if money is involved in your so called mind game you are simply wasting your time, what you will later get is heartbreak.

[Fredomago]

Well, it may be the opinion of others, but it is not universally agreed upon. Gambling is a game of money, while sports are about exerting one's full energy, not just the mind. In fact, sports educators never mention gambling as a way to energize your mind and become active. If we have to understand deeply, sports are to become healthy but not for gambling. I think you already know that many gamblers become addicted and ruin their mental health. That is enough to consider that gambling should not be taken seriously, unlike sports.

Agree to that, most of the time gambler treats gambling as money making venue where they can possibly achieved decent earnings, though if taking things in a wrong perspectives it can ruined both financial and mental aspects where health was compromised, unlike with sports those types of healthy activities in which it helps you both physically and mentally.

And likewise, if you unable to handle pressure inside gmbling it can ruined you in form of stress and those other after effect mostly when you get addicted.

[Dunamisx]

Gambling is all for fun and doing this alone contributes to the mental fitness of our well-being, that is why we take gambling as an entertainment, which everyone has right for, we shouldn't be denied of the opportunity of gambling, because it makes things more lively and engaged people from various part of the world, so one can boost through his mental sport with gambling.

[TravelMug]

If you need good mental state and mental health I suggest you should go for yoga training or exercises, this will help you than trying to fix your mental health using gambling, if money is involved it's a fluke for the mind, you are just deceiving yourself.

Maybe there are some good mind games out there in the world you can tell me but I haven't seen one, if there is there won't be therapists out there, like I have said before, if money is involved in your so called mind game you are simply wasting your time, what you will later get is heartbreak.

Right, everything that involves money like in gambling, it can't be a form of mental sports as it will not stimulate the mind in the positive way. Specially in losing, you won't feel right and you're mind is sending a different signal like to play again and chase that lose.

As compare to like short walking or breeze walking or going to the gym. You really feel good sweating and the dopamine release has a different effect on us. So we might as well to this things and not think of gambling as a form of mental sports because it's not.

[Lanatsa]

If you need good mental state and mental health I suggest you should go for yoga training or exercises, this will help you than trying to fix your mental health using gambling, if money is involved it's a fluke for the mind, you are just deceiving yourself.

Maybe there are some good mind games out there in the world you can tell me but I haven't seen one, if there is there won't be therapists out there, like I have said before, if money is involved in your so called mind game you are simply wasting your time, what you will later get is heartbreak.

Right, everything that involves money like in gambling, it can't be a form of mental sports as it will not stimulate the mind in the positive way. Specially in losing, you won't feel right and you're mind is sending a different signal like to play again and chase that lose.

As compare to like short walking or breeze walking or going to the gym. You really feel good sweating and the dopamine release has a different effect on us. So we might as well to this things and not think of gambling as a form of mental sports because it's not.

I really dont see gambling as anything close to a mental sport because when money is involved your brain is not working in the same way as when you play chess or sudoku or even go out for a jog the whole thing about gambling is luck and chance and when you lose you dont feel sharper you feel drained and stressed and usually the only thought that comes to mind is to play again and chase what you lost and that already shows its not a healthy kind of mental stimulation at all. Like compare that with yoga or gym or even just a simple evening walk when you do those things you actually feel lighter inside your head your body gives you that natural dopamine release and you dont have to worry about your wallet getting smaller you feel more calm more focused and your day usually ends in a more positive way gambling cant do that no matter how much you try to justify it because it always circles back to money and the emotions tied to losing or winning money are not stable they are like up and down like a rollercoaster.

I think a lot of people confuse gambling with a type of entertainment that could be considered sport for the mind but it really isnt at best it is just a distraction something you do for fun if you have the money to spare but it should never be confused with something that makes you mentally stronger because it doesn’t do that it does the opposite it weakens your patience your discipline and it tricks your brain into wanting more every time you get a loss or even a small win. There are so many better alternatives if someone wants to work on their mental health or mental strength things like yoga meditation jogging breathing exercises journaling even playing proper strategy games those are the kinds of activities that challenge the mind in a positive way they help you build habits of focus and patience and they don’t destroy your finances in the process.

[Die_empty]

snipped

Your observations about gambling not having any relationship with mental sports are right, based on your observations or experiences. But this doesn't mean that people who use gambling for mental sports don't exist.  Your observations are valid when individuals see gambling as a source of income or when they gamble with what they cannot afford to lose. When you see gambling as purely for fun and bet with a small amount, you wouldn't be under any tension or pressure. You will be calm and enjoy yourself.

[Awaklara]

Gambling is all for fun and doing this alone contributes to the mental fitness of our well-being, that is why we take gambling as an entertainment, which everyone has right for, we shouldn't be denied of the opportunity of gambling, because it makes things more lively and engaged people from various part of the world, so one can boost through his mental sport with gambling.

Such an opinion is only suitable for people like us who are indeed active gamblers. But for those who do not enjoy gambling, or the families of gambling addiction victims, will that opinion be relevant to them?
Gambling for fun is for those who don’t really care about the gambling results. But most gamblers nowadays may not be like that. I am a gambler, but if someone who is not a gambler asks for advice, I would suggest they not gamble. That would be better.

[cande86]

If you need good mental state and mental health I suggest you should go for yoga training or exercises, this will help you than trying to fix your mental health using gambling, if money is involved it's a fluke for the mind, you are just deceiving yourself.

Maybe there are some good mind games out there in the world you can tell me but I haven't seen one, if there is there won't be therapists out there, like I have said before, if money is involved in your so called mind game you are simply wasting your time, what you will later get is heartbreak.

Right, everything that involves money like in gambling, it can't be a form of mental sports as it will not stimulate the mind in the positive way. Specially in losing, you won't feel right and you're mind is sending a different signal like to play again and chase that lose.

As compare to like short walking or breeze walking or going to the gym. You really feel good sweating and the dopamine release has a different effect on us. So we might as well to this things and not think of gambling as a form of mental sports because it's not.

Straight away, I can consider it as a cognitive diversion, yes, it allows us to detach our minds a bit from everything that causes us stress, but it cannot actually be our reason for living, I understand that for many it is important, but it must not take up the whole day otherwise it cannot be fun.

[Don Pedro Dinero]

I'm amazed at how people in this thread talk about gambling in general as a form of mental exercise without distinguishing between different types. If you play poker with knowledge or sports betting, but studying, and not just guessing, it's a form of mental exercise, but in other games it's not.

Right, everything that involves money like in gambling, it can't be a form of mental sports as it will not stimulate the mind in the positive way. Specially in losing, you won't feel right and you're mind is sending a different signal like to play again and chase that lose.

As compare to like short walking or breeze walking or going to the gym. You really feel good sweating and the dopamine release has a different effect on us. So we might as well to this things and not think of gambling as a form of mental sports because it's not.

The disciplines I have mentioned are indeed a kind of mental exercise, as chess can be. And going for a walk or to the gym is not incompatible with being a successful sports bettor, just as it is for a great chess player. It is recommended and what they usually do. Mens sana in corpore sano.

[giammangiato]

If you need good mental state and mental health I suggest you should go for yoga training or exercises, this will help you than trying to fix your mental health using gambling, if money is involved it's a fluke for the mind, you are just deceiving yourself.

Maybe there are some good mind games out there in the world you can tell me but I haven't seen one, if there is there won't be therapists out there, like I have said before, if money is involved in your so called mind game you are simply wasting your time, what you will later get is heartbreak.

Gambling can reduce stress to some extent, obviously if it's done recreationally.
If you do it solely for profit, you only increase your stress and your mental health deteriorates.
There are many ways to help our minds stay active, usually free and easy to apply, but associating mental health with gambling is a stretch, I think.
I completely agree with you.

[uchegod-21]

If you need good mental state and mental health I suggest you should go for yoga training or exercises, this will help you than trying to fix your mental health using gambling, if money is involved it's a fluke for the mind, you are just deceiving yourself.

Maybe there are some good mind games out there in the world you can tell me but I haven't seen one, if there is there won't be therapists out there, like I have said before, if money is involved in your so called mind game you are simply wasting your time, what you will later get is heartbreak.

Right, everything that involves money like in gambling, it can't be a form of mental sports as it will not stimulate the mind in the positive way. Specially in losing, you won't feel right and you're mind is sending a different signal like to play again and chase that lose.

As compare to like short walking or breeze walking or going to the gym. You really feel good sweating and the dopamine release has a different effect on us. So we might as well to this things and not think of gambling as a form of mental sports because it's not.

Gambling may have more negative impact on the gamblers but there are some core values gambling instills in the gamblers, only if these gamblers can recognise these values in them and use them in the positive way to get benefits from them.

Some of these values are consistency and perseverance. Have we all seen how gamblers keep gambling even when they are losing? They are often consistent and some will never give up no matter what happens. Yea, I know this kind of consistency and perseverance may not be good in terms of gambling, but we can imagine if these gamblers can channel this same energy to their businesses, jobs or whatever productive thing they do...they will be doing themselves a very huge favour.

I don't believe gambling teaches nothing or has no positive impact, low-key there are lots of positive impacts to be gained. Just that, the negative outweighs the positive.

[EdvinZ]

You make a really solid argument. I can definitely see the comparison to mental sports.

The intense focus, the advanced strategy, and the psychological warfare in games like poker or blackjack are undeniable. It requires serious brainpower and emotional control, just like a physical athlete needs discipline. The tournament structures and rankings prove it is a legitimate competition of skill.

However, the big difference for me is the element of real money risk. That financial stake adds a layer of pressure and potential harm that traditional mental sports like chess dont inherently have. While skill plays a huge role, that gamble factor is always there.

So I see it as a unique hybrid. Its absolutely a test of mental strength, but the gambling aspect makes it its own distinct beast.

[Pandorak]

Yes, of course, self-control or emotional control is a crucial aspect of gambling, as it's what will save a gambler from significant financial losses. However, before you consider self-control, I think there's one thing you should address first: ensure you only gamble with money you can afford to lose.

Rationally, I believe it all starts with your ability to let go of the money. Simply put, if you're willing to lose the money from the start, self-control will be easier to implement.

Essentially, emotions play a crucial role in gambling, feelings of happiness when winning, disappointment when losing, or the urge to seek revenge when your balance runs out are some of the emotions that every gambler experiences. However, if these emotions are allowed to take control, the end result is usually nothing but losses that end in regret. Therefore, gambling is not solely about strategy and luck, which can be useful, but when emotions dictate decisions, such as whether to stop after winning or continue playing and increase bets, it becomes a choice. A wise gambler will stop and use their winnings to bring a little joy into real life, such as taking a vacation, etc. Ultimately, it all depends on each person's emotions, which is why it is important to learn to control them.

[goldkingcoiner]

The concept of gambling as a form of mental sports refers to the deployment of mental strength in some skill-based games and without physical display of strength or fitness.

Games like Chess, Blackjack, poker and even Sports betting fits in this criterion since professionals employ some good strategies, calculations and even critical analysis before taking the decision on your next line of action. These mental involvements stretch your mind and success in them is a product of strategy, constant practice, psychology and accurate decision under pressure.

There are yet other similarities between these mind sports and physical sports activities like

• Tournaments: Poker tournaments like WSOP features professional poker gamblers who assemble to compete against themselves and take away a big reward
• Rankings Most professional gamblers are ranked in terms of earnings, recognition and achievements
• Viewership Poker tournaments have some great viewership when televised and this shows it's value and entertainment prospects. Locally when professionals play Chess or drafts, they always assemble a little to semi-big audiences showing it has spectators
• Mental discipline: Such as analytical thinking, emotional control, decision made under pressure and even training programs since professional gamblers spend time to refine their skills by constant practices and experience just as athletes

Mental discipline is a big one. The self discipline you need to follow your own plan and not lose all your money at the casino or walk away after a big win is nothing to be scoffed at indeed.

But the most gamblers only do mental gymnastics in trying to convince themselves why taking unnecessary risks is a good idea. That I have witnessed many times.

Chess is not really considered gambling though is it? It can be easily beaten by a computer algorithm so there is no real luck involved. The person who cheats better wins.

[famososMuertos]

It's the eternal discussion with chess, yeah, that is, it is considered a sport (!?), and yes it is but a mental one, poker is a mental sport in countries like Brazil, Pool is considered a sport in some others, it all comes down to how relative it means, but the truth is... I can't imagine thinking that betting in a casino, whether for traditional games or sports guidelines is considered a mental sport, it's like the saying goes "looking for five legs on the cat."

[DubemIfedigbo001]

It's the eternal discussion with chess, yeah, that is, it is considered a sport (!?), and yes it is but a mental one, poker is a mental sport in countries like Brazil, Pool is considered a sport in some others, it all comes down to how relative it means, but the truth is... I can't imagine thinking that betting in a casino, whether for traditional games or sports guidelines is considered a mental sport, it's like the saying goes "looking for five legs on the cat."

Your views are fine, I would also like to point out to you that sports betting isn't just done entirely out of guess work. I understand some people are lazy to put in the work and give it carefree predictions, but real sports bettors take good time analyzing the games, researching about team and players form, even down to the formation to be played by the coach to see the possibility of an outcome compared with the data from the opposing team and after careful analysis comes a selection. I invest lots of mental energy to book a game and I surely consider it a form of mental sport.

[JunaidAzizi]

Very well said, mate, and I agree with it. It would be very fair if we could frame both the skilled and the mental athletics together. They are not fully dependent on luck, but yes, it requires good analysis, preparation, pattern recognition, and emotional control, which can synchronize both skill and mind. However, there is still a risk, being fully skilled doesn't mean you bypass the risk it's everywhere. If you have a good psyche and emotional control, then you can be saved. But what I am really thinking is whether these skills can be beneficial in other aspects of life or if they are just limited to gambling.

[mirakal]

Well, it may be the opinion of others, but it is not universally agreed upon. Gambling is a game of money, while sports are about exerting one's full energy, not just the mind. In fact, sports educators never mention gambling as a way to energize your mind and become active. If we have to understand deeply, sports are to become healthy but not for gambling. I think you already know that many gamblers become addicted and ruin their mental health. That is enough to consider that gambling should not be taken seriously, unlike sports.

Agree to that, most of the time gambler treats gambling as money making venue where they can possibly achieved decent earnings, though if taking things in a wrong perspectives it can ruined both financial and mental aspects where health was compromised, unlike with sports those types of healthy activities in which it helps you both physically and mentally.

And likewise, if you unable to handle pressure inside gmbling it can ruined you in form of stress and those other after effect mostly when you get addicted.

Yes, many people think that gambling is going to be fun, and that's exactly what we feel at first. But as we continue gambling, we find out that it is stressful. Especially if we are under pressure to win because we have to pay our loans. Gambling is not the right venue to exercise our minds. Mental stress is not good anymore, and in many cases, this becomes a reason for suicide.

It is time to correct our mindset. Gambling may be good for those who are able to control themselves. But using this as a way to develop positivity, we're in the wrong direction.