Abstract
The present experiment was designed to determine if and how experience might alter individuals’ gambling when playing video poker. Twelve self-identified “experienced” poker players and 12 self-identified “novices” were recruited to play video poker across three different sessions. A different game (i.e., Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, or Loose Deuces) was played in each session, with these games differing in what strategies were optimal. “Experienced” participants displayed more knowledge of poker than their “novice” counterparts. However, the only observed difference in the gambling between “experienced” and “no-vice” players was in how much they bet per hand, with “experienced” players betting higher amounts. Participants in both groups made frequent errors when playing, with error rates increasing when wild cards were introduced into the game. Self-reported strategies suggested that some participants held fallacious views about the games and/or betting strategies, although the presence of falla-cious views did not appear to differ between groups. The present results indi-cate that experience may not necessarily lead to better play and, if anything, may be detrimental to the player if it leads to increased betting without an increase in the chance of winning. The results also suggest that, although players may alter their strategies when playing different poker games, they do not do so optimally.
Recommended Citation
Weatherly, Jeffrey N.; Austin, David P.; and Farewell, Katie
(2007)
"The Role of "Experience" When People Gamble On Three Different Video-Poker Games,"
Analysis of Gambling Behavior: Vol. 1:
Iss.
1, Article 9.
Available at:
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/agb/vol1/iss1/9
Included in
Applied Behavior Analysis Commons, Clinical Psychology Commons, Experimental Analysis of Behavior Commons, Theory and Philosophy Commons