Numerous psychological and pedagogical studies have revealed many reasons for playing. Some of these studies focus on games that can be influenced by physical skill or mental agility. For example, poker and blackjack are decided by pure chance? Learn more with Yoju casino 2023 with bonus.
The random number generator is the core of the slot machine game.
The core of every slot machine is the random number generator, usually housed in the software, which decides the game’s outcome. Like roulette, where the players cannot influence the ball’s fall, there is no chance to steer the outcome in the desired direction. Neither the amount of the bets nor a specific behaviour when pressing the buttons influences the random generator.
Based on these observations, it seems surprising that people are more attracted to slot machines than games of chance, which certain limits by individual behaviour can influence. Reference can be made, for example, to the astonishingly high density of obviously flourishing slot machine arcades in city centres or to the fact that the vast majority of gambling addicts in this country pursue slot machines and not, for example, classic table games.
Magical thinking and misinterpretations
Studies on gambling addiction repeatedly refer to the fact that a not-insignificant number of gamblers more or less consciously assume that they can control the game. This belief that one’s role is not limited to inserting money and pressing a button often manifests in ritualised behaviour: The keys are pressed in a certain rhythm, or the stakes vary according to a specific pattern. This is easily recognisable as a form of so-called magical thinking, which is quite widespread and manifests itself in the belief in good or bad omens.
In addition, many slot machines are programmed so that near-wins occur disproportionately often. If only one powerful symbol is missing several times for a big win, many players misinterpret this as an indication of an imminent win. The idea that – if the game slips so close to a win so often – it really must be that time soon is just as untenable as other forms of magical thinking.
The fact that such forms of magical thinking are often expressed in slot games is, however, in all likelihood not due to mere coincidence. On the contrary, with factors inherent in the software, such as the widespread occurrence of near-wins, the machines deliberately offer incentives for such misinterpretations.