The psychology of slots is a perplexing thing. Every kind of game people play has a psychological element. People use these tactics for strategy purposes and to psyche out their opponents.
In casino games, strategy varies based on the game. For example, with table games, often strategies are designed to keep your cards close to your chest, (no pun intended).
The phrase having a poker face, which contrary to popular belief, was not popularised by Lady Gaga means using expressions and pscyhology to conceal your hand. That’s why people commonly bluff in poker, because they aim to convince others at the table they aren’t a threat.
However, in slots, the psychology is in the hands of the game itself. As slots operate using computer technology and random number generators, the outcome is not in the players hands.
Join us on this fascinating journey as we explore the psychology of slots. How do they games interact with players’ brains, and what outcomes can they produce?
The Psychology Of Satisfaction: How Slots Keep Players Coming Back
Slots employ a range of a ways to keep customers satisfied. Slots are highly regarded as one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the casino world. But why and how is that?
Instant Gratification
The biggest appeal of slots is that they provide instant gratification for players. There is a part in our brain that craves that feeling of a quick dopamine release, which is the happy hormone.
As many slots offer frequent and small rewards, players consistently get that feeling. Without realising this, they remain engaged in the game, even if many slots have monotonous gameplay, the potential rewards keep them coming back.
The Random Technology
Despite us mentioning time and time again that it is a common slot myth that the game can be manipulated, people still think they can rig the game.
The RNG technology ensures that this is not possible, because every sequence is random, and this produces a random combination of symbols each spin.
However, the brain percieves this as a challenge, and thinks there is a way to crack the so-called code of the slot machine. Players can think that they are owed a win, or that the machine is working against them, when in reality, wins are sporadic. If you win, it is entirely based on luck.
The Design: How Designs Keep Players Spinning
The visuals and the design of a slot are made to keep players on the reels. The main goal is to stimulate senses, mainly sight and hearing.
That is why you find slots with sounds that are loud and mimick a celebration when you win, and why the colours are bright, because our brain asssociates them with certain actions. Here are some examples:
- Red: Excitement, urgency and energy. This is usually used when there is a need to make a quick decision.
- Gold: Gold is a colour which represents wealth. Gold is usually used to show off jackpots, or is put on the screen when you have a big win. It also is used to highlight bonuses or bonus rounds, to draw attention to prize areas.
- Green: Green represents luck. This is a common theme in Irish slots. Green also means go, and can be as a call to action to get playrs to go.
Even low volatility slots have celebration jingles, which make players feel rewarded when they land winning combinations. Feeling validated means players stay motivated to win more, and to hear that annoying jingle again and again.
The Concept Of The Almost-Win
A design element of slot games is unfortunately that they’re designed to incorperate almost wins, or near misses. This is a mechanic where when the paylines almost line-up, players are tricked by their brain into think a win is on the horizion.
However, this is a deliberate outcome in the slot machine through its design. In the UK, near misses are banned, so UK players don’t have to worry, but in some slots, they are present.
The Volatility
Volatility on each slot machine is fixed between low, high, and medium. This reflects the payout structure of the slot, and the time in which wins will be issued.
The volatility of a slot drives the reaction of players. Low volatility slots – the frequent and small payouts – give players quick dopamine.
However, high volatility slots – big wins every so often – give players adrenanline, because they are expecting a big outcome and want to win the jackpot. Each volatility level ellicts a different psychological reaction, depending on the player and the slot.
Emotional Responses
Slot outcomes also drive emotional responses based on psychology. For example, players who end up on a losing streak may feel the desire to win their lost money back. They take the losses personally, and so keep playing to try and win back their money and make a profit, as they don’t want to feel like their session was a waste.
This reaction is rooted in emotional rather than logical thinking.
On the other hand, some players think they’re thinking rationally and think they have a hand in controlling the game. We briefly mentioned this, but some players believe if they do something at the ‘right time’, like press the spin button, they’re guaranteed a win.
This is known as the illusion of control and is nothing but that, just an illusion.
Tips To Play Healthily
- Set time and money limits, because the slots can pull you in. This ensures you are accountable for the hours and money you spend playing.
- Play for entertainment, because if you get caught up in the investment of a slot, you’ll spend more money and time than necessary.
- Understand your triggers, as you may have reactions to certian games and actions. Doing this ensures you can take a break, and not play when stressed, or making irresponsible decisions when playing.
