Special features of poker

Abstract

Poker is now one of the most popular types of online gambling, mostly because of its particular structural characteristics. This study aims to investigate the representations of regular poker players of the game's special features, along with their probable links with tilt (i.e. loss of control during the game) and problem gambling. Twenty-three regular poker players recruited online took part in a research interview. All interviews were recorded and fully transcribed. A quantitative lexical analysis was performed using the software Alceste®. Six classes were identified, encompassing 73% of the whole corpus. The main themes were chance vs. skill, sensations and emotions linked to poker, discovery of poker, tilt, differences between live and online gambling, and risks of excessive poker involvement. The experience of tilt appears to be an important feature of poker. Poker players also tended to report more emotional and social aspects of problem gambling than financial consequences. The results underline the structural specificities of poker through the player's representations. The role of emotions and sensations in poker, as they are both sought by the players and involved in the loss of control, may have an influence on the development and maintenance of problem gambling.

Keywords:

• poker
• problem gambling
• tilt
• qualitative analysis
• representations

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Carol Robins for editorial assistance in English. The authors are also indebted to the poker players who agreed to participate in this study. The authors had no conflicts of interest to report.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by grants from the Française des Jeux (FDJ). The funding organization had no role in the design or conduct of the study; data collection, analysis, and interpretation; preparation, review and approval of the manuscript.

Notes on contributors

Servane Barrault

Servane Barrault is a graduated Phd in Psychology from the Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Processes at the University Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris City. Her primary research interests include pathological gambling, especially among poker players.

Aurélie Untas

Aurélie Untas is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris City. Her research interests are focused on how adults face health problems, especially the role of emotions, coping strategies and family factors.

Isabelle Varescon

Isabelle Varescon is Professor and Director of the Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Processes at the University Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris City. Her research interests are focused on drug or behavioural addictions in young adults and adults. She has written more than 50 articles and several books and book chapters in the field of addiction.