~snip
I think, money is just a medium, it is not the focus for some of the gamblers and it is not everything.
Tell me what is their focus then. We have established already that it wouldn't be fun when money is not involved anymore. So what is it? Kids are playing cards or poker using fake money. Even if it's just play money, they are still getting that hit of dopamine because they were able to feed their greed even with a fake currency. Some are also playing cards and then the loser have to face the winner's chosen consequence. It usually a truth or dare but sometimes the loser gets punishment which is as simple as getting lipstick painted on their face. Ultimately, the winner is feeling more superior than the loser as he was able to give him punishment.
So without these prizes, without the money, where do the other gamblers focus on?
~snip
Did you know there are many professional gamblers out there? I mean, yeah it's hard to make gambling to become a source of income but there are happened out there. Like daniel negreanu the poker player.
And did you know that there are people who just made a million dollar as I was about to post this? Yeah, that's right, but just because people like them really do exist, that doesn't affect us at all unless we work hard to become like them. Professional gamblers, when you watch their interviews, are really really smart. It's not just about luck. They know everything about the game and they know exactly why they were able to become a professional gambler. They have read tons of articles. They have conducted their research. After all, it's a
profession.
Basically you’re betting on one outcome to win and the same outcome to lose at the same time. And the fact that without money you cannot do betting in the first place. So for me in gambling, money is truly everything. Recreation and fun is just an effect of gambling because if you lose a game you will not be entertained at all. If you win that's the time you become happy. So money is very important.
I've been reading more stuff about gambling lately and it's said that even losses doesn't affect the overall experience of the gambler in a casino. We all know that we are doomed to lose in the long run. And sometimes, multiple losses make our wins even more rewarding as we have less expectation of winning. I suggest that you read this article from BBC: "
The Buzz That Keeps People Gambling" as they go in-depth with the explanation backed by research.