Gambling has been a popular pastime for centuries, but in recent years its appeal has surged alongside the rise of the online sector. Nowadays it’s not at all strange to hear a colleague say that they spent their Saturday evening playing online blackjack on their mobile phone.
15 or even 10 years ago you would have quite reasonably thought that someone spending their spare time gambling online was either a hardcore player or a professional gambler instead of a casual casino lover.
Whilst categorisations like “hardcore player” or “professional gambler” are a bit of a catch all, there are different types of gamblers. Ever wondered which category you fall under? Read on to find out.
The Emotional Gambler
Do you gamble because you’ve had a bad day at work? Or do you jump on and spin the online slots reels when you’re feeling good? If you do, chances are you’re an emotional gambler, which is a double-edged sword.
The good thing is that you’re regulating your emotions by using something that makes you feel good. The bad news however, is that you’re letting your heart rule your head which could end up with you losing more money in the long run.
Emotional gamblers tend to be more impulsive and as a result, struggle along between cycles of boom and bust.
The ‘Partial’ Gambler
We all have that one friend who can go to the pub after work and have the two drinks they agreed to and go straight home. Conversely, we all have those friends (or most likely, are those friends) who end up having two or three more drinks than they intended.
If you are the former, you’re most likely to be a ‘partial’ gambler, someone who uses gambling as a means to an end. If you’re a ‘partial’ gambler you like to impose financial or time specific limits on your gambling and stick to them.
If gambling is going to be a long-term hobby, it’s a good idea to try and be more of a partial gambler.
If you’re the type of person that can go to a bar for “one drink”, you’re probably also a ‘partial’ gambler
The Analytical Gambler
For some a hobby is a carefree way to unwind with friends at the weekend, for others a hobby can become something that needs to be mastered. If you agree with that last statement you’re most likely an analytical gambler.
You have spent hours watching videos on YouTube about gambling strategies. You follow dozens of professional gamblers on social media. You have even bought books about your favourite casino game.
Oh, and you read articles about the different types of gamblers…
Don’t be embarrassed though, analytical gamblers are often rewarded for their obsession by bigger and more consistent casino winnings.
Compulsive Gamblers
Whilst the tone of this article thus far has been light-hearted, it’s important to remember that gambling isn’t fun for everyone. For some it can come to have a really negative impact on their lives.
The signs to look out for in compulsive gamblers are:
- Spending too much time or money on gambling
- Repeated failures to cut back on gambling or stop altogether
- Chasing wins to make up for losses
- Continuing to gamble even when it starts to impact on personal relationships and work or home life
If you recognise any of these signs in yourself or someone you love, it could be time to ask for professional help.
Profit Gamblers
Gambling is supposed to be fun. The only exceptions to that are compulsive gamblers and profit gamblers. Unlike compulsive gamblers, profit gamblers see the activity as a chance to make money.
They eschew games like slots which have a relatively low chance of turning a profit and instead look to games with a low house edge that they can manipulate to make a quick buck. They spend hours researching strategies to minimise their losses and increase their chances of winning.
They are also incredibly disloyal. If their current provider has stopped handing out bonuses they’ll find another online casino that is. Profit is the beginning, middle and end for these types of players and they will let nothing stand in their way of making money.
Profit gamblers see casino games more like stock markets than leisure activities
Social Gamblers
What a lot of people tend to forget nowadays is that gambling is supposed to be fun and is also a great way to connect with friends and loved ones. Social gamblers are the only people that seem to really remember that anymore.
These players can go weeks and weeks without picking up a card or spinning a roulette wheel, until a pre-arranged gambling night with their buddies. Typically these type of players tend to favour more social games like poker.
Competitive Gamblers
If you like to test yourself against others and take pleasure out of beating people then you should take up a sport. If you don’t have the free time or the athletic ability for that, the next best alternative is gambling.
Online you can indulge your need for competition by taking part in high-stakes poker games and testing your mettle against the best players from around the globe. If any of this sounds appealing to you, you’re most definitely a competitive gambler.
If you can use this desire to spur you on, then you’ll probably end up with a healthier bank balance than more casual gamblers.