A lot of gambling is luck-based. There are times when skill and strategy can help you get a leg up on your opponents, but other times, you’re just out of luck.
And this is true of some games more than others.
For example, slots is considered one of the most pure-luck based games. While there may be some factors within your grasp that can influence your wins, this mostly has to do with figuring out which slot machines have better or worse house edges.
Games like roulette and baccarat have a little more human influence involved. This is because you can bet on a variety of outcomes, each of which has different odds. So, in a way you can improve your chances of winning.
These games are contrasted with things like poker, in which the only ‘luck’ that comes into play is whether or not you have a good starting hand. But even then, you can do a lot with a little if you know how to play your hand well.
For example, in roulette, you have a higher chance of winning if you bet on either red or black, as opposed to a specific number. But this doesn’t mean that you will always win more by betting more broadly in the game.
Another way to think of this is that when you flip a coin, the odds of it landing on heads or tails is about one to one. In other words, there is an equal chance.
But this doesn’t mean that in ten flips you’re guaranteed five heads and five tails. This is where a lot of people misunderstand.
A lot of players let the odds weigh to heavily in their decisions. Like in roulette, people will think “oh, it’s been red for the last three rounds. I should bet on black next,” because they think there should be an even distribution of red and black wins.
But in actuality, the three red rounds have no influence over whether or not the next round will be red or black. Each round is independent of its prior.
So, maybe there is a lot more luck involved in these games than people think. Playing it safe can’t guarantee that you won’t lose all your money.
A lot of people find themselves in a rut every once in a while. And as such, it’s important to have some methods to help pull you out of them. If you don’t, here are a few.
1. Take a break
Let your mind take a bit of a break. It’ll help you resituate yourself before trying again.
Some known
benefits of taking breaks are that it can help prevent ‘decision fatigue’ and help restore your motivation. Decision fatigue refers to the fact that making frequent decisions can tire you out. Too much can lead to decreased willpower and less ability to reason.
Taking a break may also help you improve your learning. This may be especially vital in games like poker, in which it’s important to catch on to other players’ gambling habits.
There are also many long term benefits of taking breaks. This includes decreasing the risk of heart disease, depression, obesity, and diabetes.
2. Get rid of distractions
You might be out of luck because you are getting distracted. This can be especially true if you don’t feel you’re playing at your best, or if you’ve been playing for a long time and are getting tired.
Casinos are an especially notorious place for distractions. With flashing lights and loud sounds everywhere, it’s bound to happen eventually.
Some gamblers found that they focus better when they gamble online. Kate Huber, chief editor at
NJGamblingFun said, “I like to play from the comfort of my own bedroom. There are fewer people around making me anxious, and so I feel a bit more centered when I play. I definitely play better from behind a screen.”
One of the most popular distractions is cell phones. Unless you don’t own a smartphone, keeping your hands and eyes off of them is no easy task. But sometimes when they get too distracting, it can be healthy to put them away.
Taking time away from your
smartphone might even help you stay focused more generally. So, if you think you have a problem with your phone, it might be time to shut it off or put it away.
3. Try out a new game
If you’ve been playing a single game for a long time, chances are, you’ve developed tunnel vision.
There’s a fine line between focus and tunnel vision. And once you’ve crossed over, it can be hard to cross back or even get out altogether.
While one’s dedication to a game is admirable, when it’s gotten to the point that it has a negative effect on your overall playing, it’s better to walk away.
But you don’t have to just take a break altogether. Another way to stay sharp while giving your head a break is by playing something new.
For example, if you’ve been playing poker all day, just take a break and switch to slots. It’ll help you maintain your momentum but give you a chance to refresh.
4. Ask yourself if you’ve got a gambling addiction
Being unlucky might be a blessing in disguise. If you’ve noticed that you’ve lost your vigor and ferocity in the game or if they’ve gotten to be too much, you might have a bigger problem.
According to Marina Turea at
VegasForAll, “one of the signs of gambling addiction is a loss of control. So, if you feel like you’re very frustrated with gambling but can’t seem to quit, you might benefit from talking to someone or seeing a doctor. Gambling addiction can also be linked to underlying mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.”
Though not all gamblers are gambling addicts, it’s good to be aware, just in case you or someone you know crosses that line.
5. Switch up your strategy
Changing how you play can be a great way to get out of a gambling funk. This is especially true for strategy and skill-based games like poker. If you’ve got a method that’s always worked, it might be the reason why you’re not winning now.
Hopefully, with these five tips in mind, you’ll be able to get out of your bad luck streak next time you find yourself at the end of multiple losses. Some of these may apply to your situation more or less but feel free to look to other methods or even combine them.