What are experienced poker gamblers saying about gambling? An exploratory qualitative study

ABSTRACT

Poker is a game of chance and strategy in which the situations that arise and the outcome can cause gamblers to experience intense emotions, both pleasant and unpleasant, which can alter decision-making and lead to loss of control. This qualitative study aimed to identify elements that could contribute to better emotional regulation and gambling practices among experienced poker gamblers. A thematic analysis was carried out on 21 interviews conducted with male poker gamblers. It revealed four main themes: a confrontation with intense feelings (tilt, chasing, adrenaline), learning about and around the game (rules, jargon, knowledge of probability and statistics), a change in perception of poker (game as a sport, competition and improvement motives), and emotional detachment from the game over time. Acquiring knowledge about the game, attributing a word to each of the unfolding events, approaching poker in a scientific and serious manner, and introspection to improve poker practice seem to help poker gamblers regain control after being in the grip of intense emotions. This study provides access to the path taken by poker gamblers to respond to their desire to continue the gambling activity and to no longer be plagued by intense feelings.

KEYWORDS:

• Poker
• improvement motives
• introspection
• emotional learning
• thematic analysis

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Servane Barrault for her help recruiting poker gamblers and to all the participants for taking time to answer the questionnaires and for agreeing to be interviewed about their history as gamblers.

Ethical approval

CERES Committee. IRB number: 20162200001072

Preregistration statement

No preregistration was declared by the authors in relation to this manuscript.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, SM, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the GIS ‘Jeu et Sociétés’ under grant number AAP2021-21. The funding had no role in any aspect of the study.

Notes on contributors

Sasha Mathieu

Sasha Mathieu is a PhD associated with the Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Processes at the University of Paris. Her research interests are focused on the psychological processes underlying in gambling activity. She studies in particular the role of gambling type, gambling motives, cognitive distortions and emotional processes in gamblers.

Isabelle Varescon

Isabelle Varescon is Professor and Director of the Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Processes at the University of Paris. Her research interests focus on drug or behavioral addictions in young adults and adults. She has written more than 70 articles and several books and book chapters in the addiction field.