Gambling Psychology

Gambling psychology for most people conjures upknow me personally will tend to assess me as an
images of stony faced poker players and theirinexperienced and poor player.
habits and actions (tells) that suggest the value ofTo me these are the unnoticed aspects of
the cards they are holding.gambling psychology that all combine to build your
I contend that there is much more to gamblingpersonal confidence and allow you to exude
psychology. When we look at successfulconfidence during your gambling session.
gamblers, they all have a sound moneyVirtually everyone has heard about poker tells
management strategy, a sound game strategy, aeven if they do not really know what they are.
high level of game skills, distinctive presentationTells are the subtle signs that others pick up on
and when appropriate, the ability to psyche theirthat give them a good idea as to the strength of
opponents.our poker hand. Hiding these tells from your
You may contend that that some of theseopponents, requires a great deal of acting skills
aspects of gambling do not involve psychology. Iand practice especially when you suddenly find
disagree.yourself sitting on a good full house or a royal
The sound money management strategy allowsflush.
the successful gambler to recover from a numberI recall playing against this stony faced guy who
of consecutive loosing gambling sessions. Especiallyhardly moved or spoke for hours when suddenly
in poker, opponents notice these things and thethe artery on the side of his neck started
ability to bounce back has a subtle psychologicaljumping like he had just run a marathon. He
effect on opponents. This also allows you toobviously had a hand that he found very exciting.
approach the next session in a better frame ofWhilst he could control his voluntary actions, he
mind than what you would otherwise be incould not control his involuntary actions. All those
because you know that if you should loose again,who could see that side of his neck folded in turn.
you still have adequate reserves to try againIf he had come dressed as dandy complete with
multiple times.a cravat, no one may have noticed his obvious
Without a sound game strategy you will be takenexcitement and his pot would have been much
to the cleaners regardless of the game you playbigger.
or where you play it. A sound strategy simplyThis incident vividly illustrates the visible aspects of
requires you to play the game to take advantagegambling psychology.
of all the favorable bets and to avoid those betsLastly, I thought I should do some research to
where the house has an unreasonable advantage.see what the experts have to say about
This allows you to play with confidence becausegambling psychology. After a few hours, of
once your strategy has been tested and proven,reading those papers, the overwhelming thrust
you know that when you win, your winnings willwas that we were all exhibiting the early signs of
be reasonable to quite good and on thoseabnormal behavioral patterns and if caught early,
occasions when you loose, your losses will bethe problem could respond to treatment.
relatively modest.Unfortunately, there are some in our midst where
Your game skills give you the confidence togambling has become a problem.
adhere to your strategies when under pressureI make a point of never gambling when cash is
so that you maximize your winnings and minimizeshort because it has been my sad experience
your losses. If your game stresses you unduly,that whenever I have gambled in those situations,
either find a game with lower limits or a differentI have almost always lost and such losses are
game that you find less stressful. If that is notdoubly painful. I have always won most whenever
possible, then it is time to find another past time.I could well and truly have afforded the loss. Being
Your distinctive presentation sends a message tocashed up removes the stress and reduces the
your opponents. That message is dependant onmistakes one makes when playing overly
where and with whom you play. Many years ago,cautiously.
I worked as a ringer (cowboy) and long wearingTo the intelligent gamblers in our midst who have
western shirts, jeans and polished riding bootssound strategies in place and who never bet
have been both my preferred work and casualmore than they can afford to loose, I say work
wear ever since. In the city, that gives me theon the psychological aspects of your game to
image of a hay seed (hillbilly). At the poker tables,improbe your edge and Good Luck at the Tables!
thats great because most of those who do not