Why aren't there any addicts in chess? Even in prize chess?

[Dave1]

When considering the nature of gambling addiction, we can look at the example provided by chess. I hope that, in one way or another, everyone knows and loves this game. I asked myself: Why aren't there any addicts in chess? Even in prize chess? In my opinion, the answer to this question is obvious: it's a complex game in which you have to think, expend a lot of your brain's biochemical energy calculating options, considering the next move, calculating the pros and cons of strategies, and so on. Therefore, chess can hardly be called a game of chance; it practically doesn't breed addicts. Gambling addicts are born in places with simple game mechanics, where all you have to do is press a button. Slot machines, roulette, plinko, and so on. Sports betting involves more intellectual aspects, but even there, everything comes down to simple actions. Do you think the nature of chess can breed addicts?

There were times that chess was my main sports, as me and my brother would play it and be competitive on it. And for the majority, as what you have describe, it's a game that could be boring for the majority as they don't want to extend their intellects.

So I don't think that it can breed addicts. Although in our neighborhood, before they used to play chess with money on the line. Yes, that could be gambling per se, but it's not enough for someone to turn into addicts as you might lost your luster in this sports.

[KTChampions]

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/05/online-chess-addiction-ruining-life (just for the sake of having an example)
Perhaps this guy or some other guys that share the same experience. I mean there could be anywhere or anything addicted at one stuff at some point. Addiction has no shape, knows no gender or intellectuality. Perhaps people will think that it's a good thing to be addicted of, but whatever isn't in moderation, isn't really good. I think to be at the top of the game you'd have to be an addict or a prodigy but those that doesn't belong or not even known in the game of chess has surely some personal issue to deal with. I mean, why be an addict to chess when you can't even be known worldwide?

Yep, OP have no idea what he is writing, this looks a lot like a thread for the sake of a thread.
If you check streams on Twitch or YouTube, you'll see that online chess has everything it takes to create a dopamine-fueled addiction (something shorts, reels, and other "fast and endless" content are usually blamed for). Time controls of 1 minute (some even play for 30 seconds lol) are very addictive and, by the way, are very close to gambling, since at such a speed of the game a lot is decided by luck, not skill.
As example here are some highlights from the mega-tops (imagine what happens to non-professionals):
Biggest Chess Rage Quits

[Popkon6]

Chess is a game of thought and a long game, there is a tendency to bet on it, but very few people bet on this chess game. The symptoms of addiction are less because very few people participate, because most people are more addicted to games that have simple strategies and finish the game in a short time. Because all people can enter these games, but chess is a game of thought and strategy, you have to think a lot because you have to control 16 crores and check the plan of the next move and finally it is a game of intelligence.

So gamblers do not get addicted to it, those who play chess for the purpose of enjoying the pleasure can basically survive for a long time. And in chess, someone has to prevent the attacks of the next person.

[jcojci]

Chess needs deep understanding to make a strategy and all calculation before you decide. Not many people can play chess well so that doesn't make many people addicted to chess game. I just seeing the reality in the my environment which only a few people who play chess and mostly, they are adult above 30 years old. Chess game different than card games or other games available on the casino so that will not makes someone easily getting addicts but maybe that is happens for some situations.

[fredericktaylor]

Winning by playing chess depends entirely on the intelligence of a person, playing chess requires a person's patience and long time, addiction depends entirely on the type of play of a person, his mentality, excitement and control. A person can become addicted by playing chess, but the chances of this are much less than sports betting. Winning by playing chess depends on one's intelligence, but winning by sports betting depends on research or luck. People enjoy much more pleasure or excitement through sports betting gambling than playing chess.

[drangos]

Chess needs deep understanding to make a strategy and all calculation before you decide. Not many people can play chess well so that doesn't make many people addicted to chess game. I just seeing the reality in the my environment which only a few people who play chess and mostly, they are adult above 30 years old. Chess game different than card games or other games available on the casino so that will not makes someone easily getting addicts but maybe that is happens for some situations.

I don't believe that the reason why more people don't play chess is because they are not good at it or that fewer people play it. Competitive players are usually hooked on chess, as each game offers them a kind of drive to improve, to get back to their previous level, to prove themselves. Chess typically doesn't come with the same quick cash payoff or fluctuating monetary rewards as gambling games. There may be money involved the prizes are sometimes an extra element but for the majority of players, it's about competition and mastery. There can also be addiction in chess, albeit a different kind.

[Junii]

Do you think the nature of chess can breed addicts?

I think it works on every person differently like gambling become addictive to those who want instant results whether it's male or female as gambling is easy and gives instant results and when person gets result the brain releases emotions and during gambling as well the brain is busy in releasing emotions I mean it's a whole game of emotions so from that perspective chess can also be addictive to those who love challenges because in chess the person thinks a lot and some people love that stuff.

[swogerino]

Personally I got really mad when I lost in chess games and that is why I don't like this game. A p2p in gambling just like texas hold em can be a great idea yet I doubt it will become as popular as other p2p games. The reason is simple as I think chess is a game for smart people and not all people are very smart so that would definitely see this game not being as popular as the other games. Most people play chess just for fun online and not gamble with it.

[Inwestour]

Personally I got really mad when I lost in chess games and that is why I don't like this game. A p2p in gambling just like texas hold em can be a great idea yet I doubt it will become as popular as other p2p games. The reason is simple as I think chess is a game for smart people and not all people are very smart so that would definitely see this game not being as popular as the other games. Most people play chess just for fun online and not gamble with it.

Chess is often a long game that requires a lot of mental effort, which is why not everyone enjoys playing it. Whenever I get the chance, I always look for someone who would be willing to play with me. But if it’s a gathering of friends, or especially a party, there are almost never any people who want to play. Maybe one of my family members will play with me, or in rare cases, a friend who comes over. So you’re right, the game isn’t very popular among people.

[laspol65]

Chess is a long-term game and depends entirely on intelligence control, the person who can control each soldier correctly with this intelligence and advanced planning can win. However, winning the game of chess depends mainly on patience and intelligence, very few people get addicted to it because chess is a long game and the possibility of gamblers participating is also very low. It is easy to research sports betting and those who gamble mainly play games such as slot games, Plinko games which are played by pressing a button and waiting for the results to be completed.

In these games, every person can win, there are simple strategies and research is light, so there is no need to do so much research, due to which different types of people get involved and the symptoms of addiction increase. Because they do not know how to follow the strategy, more people than chess are attracted to these games and enter them with the aim of earning money and reach the goal of addiction.

[NotATether]

Because chess is a brutally difficult game that requires a lot of thinking.

If you're just going there to try to get money, you will almost certainly rage quit within an hour.

[Bryan jessy]

Chess games are not as fun as gambling games and other sports games, among all it is not very common like those other gambling games, and chess requires serious brain work to know the next move, I have played chess game before, then i was bored and decided to play with my friends not like betting for any wins just a general game that a prize is not involved and it was not really that fun, but the truth is that regardless of how boring it might look people who are chess addict still exist, I might not find it fun but it is someone's favorite game in the world I prefer gambling to chess while to others it's the other way round, so there are chess addict.

[angrybirdy]

it's because chess is not an easy game to play... in my opinion, it seems like a game for smart people only. I’ve tried playing chess but I still dont fully understand its mechanics. Maybe I’m just not smart enough for it. jk!
But seriously, playing chess requires your full attention because every move you make can affect the entire game. you need to think several steps ahead and analyze your opponent’s possible moves just like in playing billiards, which makes it more challenging than many other board games and I think, that's probably one reason why only a few people play chess. However, I don’t think its true that no one can become addicted to chess, If you’re familiar with the movie "The Queens Gambit" you’ll see how many people spend a lot of time playing chess, competing in tournaments and even betting on their chosen player.

[Somegory]

Don't use me to laugh,  I am a dullard when it comes to chess, call me and I will run away because that game is too complex for me, I have grown up to hate it and some people even said that I can't set anything right if I don't know how to play chess.

Is this even true?

I took that personally because I've always think 🤔 about it, am I just a dullard who doesn't even know it? But I've done alot of things that many people can't even do, I shouldn't be condemned because I can't play chess?

[OsaiEmma]

When considering the nature of gambling addiction, we can look at the example provided by chess. I hope that, in one way or another, everyone knows and loves this game. I asked myself: Why aren't there any addicts in chess? Even in prize chess? In my opinion, the answer to this question is obvious: it's a complex game in which you have to think, expend a lot of your brain's biochemical energy calculating options, considering the next move, calculating the pros and cons of strategies, and so on. Therefore, chess can hardly be called a game of chance; it practically doesn't breed addicts. Gambling addicts are born in places with simple game mechanics, where all you have to do is press a button. Slot machines, roulette, plinko, and so on. Sports betting involves more intellectual aspects, but even there, everything comes down to simple actions. Do you think the nature of chess can breed addicts?

Chess is a game I enjoy a lot. I play chess often it's like my favorite game. Truth is, I haven't seen any mainstream casino where I can gamble on chess (just my observation). I've seen some board games like Ludo games that uses dice, and card games, but I've not actually seen any on chess. Gambling on chess will certainly be fun for me, I probably might be addicted (I hope not), but I know that I'll prefer it to other games in any casino.

Do you think the nature of chess can breed addicts?

As you mentioned and answered. It’s hard to get addicted on something that is not convenient or easy to do. Most of the activities that addiction is common are those accessible and can be done almost immediately.

Besides, people become addicted because of the relaxation they can get on that specific activity either forcing the brain to relax through chemical or the urge to gain money like gambling.

Chess is a different matter not only because of complexity but also due to the game itself is normally requires a lot of strategy and preparation for those who play it seriously.

I think this is all the more reason someone might be easily addicted to it. What generally breeds gambling addiction is the chase of losses and promised rewards. But imagine a game you enjoy so much (like myself when it comes to chess) and has the other features of gambling, the potential of being an addict will be high. The illusion of control will be much stronger because, you'll think applying this strategy, using those tactics etc will give you an edge.

[Tungbulu]

If there’s a game that I wouldn’t mind getting addicted to, then it’s probably chess, because chess is for smart people, and being addicted to it simply means you’re super smart, it’s just like saying someone is addicted to reading educational books, such additions would only feed the person’s brain rather taking away, so it’s pretty much a good addiction.
Chess is a mind game, and just like other mind games like poker, one really needs to be super smart, be able to predict their opponent’s next moves even before they take them. That’s a lot of work you know, and barely few persons actually play such games with the sole aim of making money, but mostly to prove a point that they’re better.

[Futurexxx]

Do you think the nature of chess can breed addicts?

I play chess often IRL. And I have been to many chess competitions. It is not correct to say that there is no addiction in this game. I have seen many people make huge bets on chess. Endless rematch of rapid or bullet format, rating gain & loss and immediate feedback can create repetitive reward loop in both IRL and Online chess. But yeah, even if there is addiction, it cannot be called a clinical gambling disorder, in my opinion.

I wouldn't necessarily call it addiction because those that are addicted don't make use of their brain, but rather it's best to say that the worst aspect of it is an obsession, just like in trading that messes with your mental health when observed over it.

Chess is a game that is very complex, so the nature of it makes those in it very small, because it's not an easy game like other casino games or sports betting, so in essence of what am saying is that their is no addiction in chess, but rather it's more of an obsession like in draft games.

[Charles-Tim]

When considering the nature of gambling addiction, we can look at the example provided by chess. I hope that, in one way or another, everyone knows and loves this game. I asked myself: Why aren't there any addicts in chess? Do you think the nature of chess can breed addicts?

Yes. When I was still in school, my hostel mates and I can play cheese during the day and overnight. If not because of the chess, we would have been sleeping during the night. Although, it did not affect our school life and we do not use money to gamble, but we are just playing it for fun. It is very possible that if we use money to gamble with it, we might start spending more time on it.

[Ashawowo(OS)]

Do you think the nature of chess can breed addicts?

I play chess often IRL. And I have been to many chess competitions. It is not correct to say that there is no addiction in this game. I have seen many people make huge bets on chess. Endless rematch of rapid or bullet format, rating gain & loss and immediate feedback can create repetitive reward loop in both IRL and Online chess. But yeah, even if there is addiction, it cannot be called a clinical gambling disorder, in my opinion.

I've as well seen lots of people, especially the elderly people who are addicted to chess games and they place consistent side bets on it. From my observation in my neighborhood, I can attest that most addicts are elderly people and not the young, people wager heavily on it, but the impact on finances might not come as fast as luck-based gambling since it takes a good duration for a session to end compared to slots that a session takes only seconds.

Online chess games isn't as entertaining and engaging as offline versions, I've played in the past and didn't enjoy the online simulation. The offline version is more real and most gamblers who play it do so offline.

[MRY]

When considering the nature of gambling addiction, we can look at the example provided by chess. I hope that, in one way or another, everyone knows and loves this game. I asked myself: Why aren't there any addicts in chess? Do you think the nature of chess can breed addicts?

Yes. When I was still in school, my hostel mates and I can play cheese during the day and overnight. If not because of the chess, we would have been sleeping during the night. Although, it did not affect our school life and we do not use money to gamble, but we are just playing it for fun. It is very possible that if we use money to gamble with it, we might start spending more time on it.

Games of the brain are entirely entertainment, and bring a certain happiness devoid of the tediousness of financial expenditure. Lack of monetary interest will enable they can focus well and be spared the vicious cycle of addiction. Gambling activity is bound to turn uncomplicated fun into undue emotional pressure. Concentration has serious distractions against learning and restricting activities to recreational activities has proved to save concentration.