How do you Use Psychology When Gambling?

The most common reference regarding psychology and gambling is in the field of psychopathology and gambling addiction. Clearly, this research has been helpful in not only defining the clinical aspects of compulsive gambling but finding treatments to help individuals.

However, there is another side to gambling psychology which is becoming popular and that is how psychology – the study of behaviour and mind – can be used as a tool for advantage. It’s a fascinating and little known subject for the simple reason that most research is undertaken by individuals or corporations who invest often large sums of money to appreciate gambling from the perspective of the human condition.

Psychology has become something of a dark art for both backers and layers using this powerful data and insight to take advantage of those who simply do not know that psychology is being used against them.

I have found a couple of psychological angles based on theories and principles which detail such advantage. One is related to the Contrast Principle which hypothesizes that people often over compensate when judging variables. This is an interesting finding because it gives an opportunity for those informed. An example, gamblers often consider a beaten horse has little chance of reversing the form. Consequently, the price offers greatly value.

Many advantages relate to social psychology, particularly stereotypical behaviour or fixed action patterns, which suggest – via the human condition – that individuals behave in very predictable ways. As these behaviours are unconscious, those with insight win your cash.

The betting exchanges are an area where psychology is at play. These well-informed gamblers use psychological theories and principles to making a killing. The great white sharks in a small pond feeding on its prey.

It’s a fascinating subject matter.

I would suggest to anyone using betting exchanges to watch how they bet, especially those actions which lead to regular loss. They may fall prey to a layers using psychological angles and beating the odds. It could be something very simple such as the timing when placing a bet. In fact, it could be almost anything. Simplicity is often key. However, the only person who knows these psychological principle is the one who has done the research and found statistical significance. Obviously, the sale of such information is unlikely.

The use of psychology within gambling is a subject you won’t hear or find much literature. In fact, this is one of few posts on the internet because little is known about this subject. However, make no mistake it is used by the few who are making a living from something most cannot envisage or see.

The ultimate winning principles with a psychological underpinning.

Where, and when, did Tom Scudamore ride his last winner?

Thomas Geoffrey ‘Tom’ Scudamore announced his shock retirement, with immediate effect, on February 16, 2023, shortly after being unseated from Ya Know Yaseff, trained by David Pipe, in a novices’ handicap chase at Leicester. Scudamore had previously suffered concussion when his mount, Royal Defender, was brought down in a ‘bumper’ at Chepstow on February 3 and, having received ‘a right kicking’ at Leicester, he had few qualms about hanging up his boots. Reflecting on his spur-of-the-moment decision, Scudamore said, ‘At my age [40] you have to be careful. I feel I have had a bit of a warning.’

Scudamore, the son of eight-time champion National Hunt jockey Peter, rode his last winner, Pachacuti, also trained by Pipe, in a handicap hurdle at Fakenham on February 2, 2023. All told, he rode 1,499 winners under National Hunt Rules, all bar one on British soil, making him the tenth most profilic Jump jockey of all time in Great Britain and Ireland. He enjoyed his most successful season, numerically, in 2014/15, when he rode 150 winners and finished third in the National Hunt Jockeys’ Championship.

Scudamore effectively rode his first ‘winner’ of any description, Nordic Breeze, trained by Martin Pipe, in an amateur riders’ handicap on the Flat at Warwick on July 3, 1998. However, Nordic Breeze, who was beaten five lengths, was only awarded the race after an investigation by the British Amateur Jockeys’ Association revealed that the first past the post, Broughtons Lure, was ridden by former American professional Angel Monserrate, masquerading as amateur ‘Angel Jacobs’.

Over obstacles, Scudamore rode his first winner, Young Thruster, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, in an amatuer riders’ novices’ hurdle at Newton Abbott on November 4, 1998. He was champion amateur rider in 2000/01 and, having turned professional, rode his first winner in the paid ranks, Belle D’Anjou, also trained by Martin Pipe, in a handicap hurdle at Chepstow on October 6, 2001.

Can The Law Of Attraction Help You Become A Successful Gambler?

The Secret.

Who doesn’t want to know the secret to success? If only you had believed enough!

But what is the law of attraction and can it help you become a successful gambler?

The philosophy of like attracts like. The focus of intentions and thoughts. You can attract positive outcomes and success into your life. In essence, if you believe you are a professional gambler it could happen.

‘It’s the latest self-help book everyone needs!’

But could it help you become a professional gambler?

The law of attraction instils that we have a direct influence on this process. However, whatever you may hear, there is no scientific evidence to support this premise. It is a belief system which cannot be objectively tested. Positive thinking and strong mindset doesn’t guarantee success.

The law of attraction is disguised as your best friend, hope and all you have ever wanted.

It’s why you have to question any guru who details how mindset is so important and it comes before you get the ‘secret sauce’. There is a reason for that. The mindset is to get you onboard with the program and suck you in.

You are given the illusion that you can achieve the impossible if you follow the system.

No amount of motivation or believe will transform your life alone.

It gives the impression that you don’t need any skill. As if you have the right mindset and believe you can outweigh your lack of skill to a point it is more important than skill.

‘Just keep on trying. It was just about to work for you but you quit. You just didn’t put in enough effort. And guess who I blame…’

‘You!’

To be a successful gambler is based on skill. Anyone who tries to tell you different – it’s a scam.

The guru will say: ‘You just didn’t believe enough.’

Strip away the pseudo science and it’s an empty box. Who is the person to gain? It’s not you.

Consider these main concerns:

  • Lack of scientific evidence

  • Over simplification of complex issues

  • Victim blaming

  • Unrealistic expectations

  • Lack of accountability

  • Neglect of negative emotions

  • Financial exploitation

  • The placebo effect

The law of attraction isn’t something used to help you succeed it is actually something used against you.

Please remember to gamble responsibly. There are no guarantees to success. Most professional gamblers started from a blank slate and learned their craft. It was by trial and error. It is a life of hard knocks.

If someone tries to use the concept of the law of attraction to afford gambling success I can tell you without doubt it is a scam.

Good luck.

What changes will be made for the 2024 Grand National?

The Grand National is arguably the most famous horse race in the world and, according to the BBC, attracts a global television audience of approximately 600 million. In the last decade or so, the Jockey Club, which owns Aintree Racecourse, has invested heavily in safety changes but, based on its own research and a number of independent studies, has announced further measures to be implemented before the next running of the Grand National on April 13, 2024.

The previous safety limit of 40 horses, introduced in 1984, will be reduced to 34, with a view to reducing the risk of falling. Likewise, in a effort to reduce the speed at which horses approach the first fence, the obstacle will be moved 60 yards closer to the start. In 2013, the start was moved 90 yards closer to the first fence, thereby reducing the overall race distance. Nevertheless, according to the Jockey Club, the average speed of horses approaching the first fence has increased, rather than decreased, over the past decade, prompting further action. A standing start will also be implemented, as it will for all races over the Grand National fences. Other infrastructure changes include reducing the height of the eleventh fence, an open ditch, from 5′ to 4’10” and levelling off the landing side to further reduce the height of the drop.

As far as the horses are concerned, participants in the Grand National will need to have achieved an official handicap rating of 130, rather than the previous 125, and those prone to jumping errors will be closely scrutinised by the so-called Grand National Review Panel to determine their suitability. The formal parade, in which horses were led by handlers, will also be dispensed with and horses will simply canter in front of the grandstands on their way to the start.