When you first start playing casino real money games you may not be aware of what your gambling preferences are but as you become more involved in your casino adventure, your partialities, inclinations and behaviors will become more apparent. Recognizing the kind of gambler that you are is a crucial step towards responsible and satisfying gambling.
This self-awareness involves understanding your motivations, risk tolerance, and behavioral patterns. If you don't recognize these indicators, you're more likely to leave gambling as a relaxing form of entertainment because of poor decisions and the possibility that you'll experience financial trouble.
Identify the kind of gambler that you are so that you can move forward in your enjoyment of the world of gambling entertainment.
Importance of Gambler Self-Recognition
People enjoy many different pastimes and activities for relaxation and recreation, so why is it specifically important for gamblers to understand their "type"?
Bankroll Management
The first, and most important reason, is that it helps you to manage your bankroll more effectively. Different types of gamblers have different approaches to money so understanding what type of gambler you are will help you to set a realistic budget and avoid over-betting.
You should consider whether you're a high roller or a recreational player. If you're a high-stakes punter, you'll probably be more comfortable with large, single-session bankrolls and high-stakes bets. Conversely, if you're a recreational player who plays for entertainment purposes, you may find that it's best to set strict, small-dollar limits so that your bankroll lasts for longer periods of time.
Understanding which group you fall into helps you set a realistic budget. If you try to be a high roller on a small budget, you might find yourself losing money very quickly and feeling frustrated.
Games
When you enter the games lobby, selecting the right game from a list of hundreds of choices can seem overwhelming. But different games appeal to different people. Your interests, fantasies, gaming level, betting preferences and other individual inclinations are important in your ultimate game selection.
Consider whether you're an action junkie, a strategic player or a social gambler. Action junkies tend to be drawn into high-volatility slots and fast-paced games like craps where the thrill comes from rapid-fire action and the potential for a massive win.
Strategic players tend to prefer games like blackjack and poker, where skill and knowledge play important parts in influencing the outcome. Social gamblers look for games with a social element, like the casino's Crash slots or Progressive Jackpot slots that involve elements of competition with other gamers.
If you don't take the time to consider which games you find the most satisfying, you may easily become frustrated or bored which can lead to impulsive and unwise decisions.
Responsible Gambling
Once you have an understanding of the types of games that you prefer and the kind of bets that you want to place, you're ready to start playing for real money.
Learn to identify early warning signs of problem gambling so that you can proactively develop a defense against the possibility that a problem will arise.
Never play according to a strategy in which you are expected to chase losses. Losing is part of the game but you must be prepared to walk away when you've played out your bankroll. If you find yourself chasing losses (many "strategies" tell you to keep betting after a loss – even, sometimes, to multiply your bets) you may be veering into dangerous territory. This is an area in which self-awareness can help you identify such behaviors so that you can stop.
You should also consider emotional triggers. Some people gamble when they are lonely, stressed or bored. You need to recognize that, if you're doing that, you are using gambling to cope emotionally, and that's an indicator that there may be a secret problem.
Similarly, if you see yourself starting to lie about your gambling habits or hiding them from family or friends, you need to take a step back and think about the place that you want gambling to play in your life and whether you've crossed an invisible line that should be crossed back.
Goals and Expectations
Gambling should be regarded as a form of entertainment. For some people, the line can get blurry. Understand what you want from the gaming experience so that you enjoy a healthy relationship with it.
Do you see gambling as entertainment? By recognizing that you are a recreational gambler, you understand that your goal is to have fun and any winnings are a bonus. Your bets are the "cost" of the entertainment, so you should always make sure that you keep your gambling sessions within your entertainment budget.
Do you see gambling as a source of income? Gambling as income may suit blackjack and poker players where skill and technique play a big part in the outcome, but for most people, that's a risky way to proceed into a land-based or online casino. Regarding gambling as a guaranteed path to wealth is a sure way to set yourself up for financial ruin.
By taking the time for this self-reflection, you'll be able to gain a clear understanding of your strengths and weaknesses so that you can use responsible gambling tools, choose games that are truly entertaining and maintain a healthy and safe relationship with gambling.
