Games of Chance. The Psychology of Luck and Risk
Games of chance attract us not only because of the chance to win, but also for deep psychological reasons. Our brain literally hunts for patterns, even when there is chaos and randomness around. We often notice that “luck” comes on certain days or with our favorite music - this is not just superstition, but attempt to understand and control uncertainty.
In addition, close moments trigger the release of dopamine and create social bonds - we share stories about how we almost won, strengthening community.
Interestingly, games of chance help us philosophize about fate and chance, teach us to accept the uncertainty of life. You can learn more about the reasons for our passion for these games here: https://travelmax.in/recommendations/the-psychology-of-chance-why-we-enjoy-games-of-luck/ .
For me, it is the social side of such games that is important. Near losses are an opportunity to talk, to laugh, to feel united with other players. When I played with friends, we often swapped stories of “almost wins”, and this made the game much more interesting than just money or prizes. I think this social aspect is often underestimated.