Like many of you, I sometimes, against my better judgment, believe that I do have some say in the spins. A superstition, a lucky charm, or just gut feeling. You know how it is, right? Just the other day, I was playing at Play Zilla online, they have over 6,400 slots in total, so plenty to choose from. I deposited, grabbed my welcome bonus up to $1,500 AUD, and got very excited when I saw that it also contained 500 FS. Long story short – wasted most of my spins due to a few silly superstitions. This, of course, got me thinking – why do we think we can influence slot outcomes when we clearly can’t?
Defining the Illusion of Control
It is a psychological phenomenon where gamblers mistakenly believe their actions or decisions significantly influence the outcome of a purely chance-based game, like online slots. Despite knowing the results are determined by Random Number Generators (RNGs), players (including myself) feel their timing, choice of game, bet size, or rituals (like clicking the spin button just so) can sway luck in their favor.
It’s the feeling that you’re making a difference. Choosing the “right” moment on Play Zilla’s vast library, for instance. In reality, of course, every spin is independent and unpredictable. It’s a false sense of agency when it’s down to pure, dumb luck.
How Players Believe They Can Influence Outcomes
Players develop various beliefs and rituals to feel in control. They might think pressing the spin button harder or softer matters, or that stopping the reels manually (a feature on some games) changes the result. Choosing a slot based on a “hot streak” perception, altering bet sizes after wins/losses to “change luck,” or playing at specific times are all among the most common tactics.
Using “lucky” charms, repeating mantras, or even believing your overall mood affects the RNG are all manifestations as well. Like my superstitions at Play Zilla, these actions create a narrative where the player is an active participant influencing fate. We all have to accept that we’re nothing more than just passive button-pushers when it comes to these games!
The Psychology
This illusion stems from core cognitive biases. Illusory correlation makes us link unrelated events (e.g., “I won when I wore my red shirt”). Confirmation bias leads us to remember wins attributed to our actions while forgetting losses or wins that happened randomly. The near-miss effect (almost hitting a jackpot) feels like skill was involved, reinforcing the belief that control is possible. Our brains naturally seek patterns and agency to reduce uncertainty. In chaotic environments like gambling, where outcomes are random, we invent controllable patterns to feel safer and more competent (even when logic dictates otherwise… or ESPECIALLY when logic dictates otherwise).
Common Mistakes That Fuel the Illusion
Several player behaviors actively feed this illusion. In fact, I came with a list of these mistakes. Take a look:
- Attributing wins to skill/luck management while blaming losses purely on bad luck
- Over-interpreting near-misses as proof they were “close” and skill/timing matters
- Developing elaborate superstitions and rituals (like specific clicking patterns or lucky charms) that feel essential
- Believing in “hot” or “cold” machines based on short-term, meaningless streaks
- Thinking bonus buy features or gamble options involve skill beyond simple choice
- Chasing losses with increased bets, believing a “big win” is due and their action triggers it
Honestly, if you, for example, just go and play aristocrat slot games for free by using that link, you will, perhaps, feel some of the above-mentioned surfacing in your behavior. Thanks to this being the demo mode, you won’t lose any money, but you will learn an important lesson, of course.
Role of Superstitions
Superstitions are great tools for manufacturing a sense of control in randomness. They provide tangible actions a player can perform. Be it wearing a lucky item, saying a phrase, clicking the spin button a certain way, playing only certain Play Zilla slots after a win… all of it feels like active participation. The kind of participation that’s actively influencing the outcome.
These rituals offer psychological comfort, reducing anxiety about the unpredictability of it all. When a win coincides with the ritual (purely by chance), confirmation bias locks it in as “proof” that the superstition works. This reinforces the behavior and, in the end, leads to some bleak outcomes. Like wasting 500 free spins!
Impact of Player Behavior on Perceived Control
Player behavior isn’t just a result of the illusion. In fact, it actively shapes and intensifies the perception of control. Engaging in rituals, making “strategic” bet changes, selecting slots based on perceived volatility or past (irrelevant) performance, or even the simple act of pressing the button itself creates a feedback loop. Each action feels like an input that should affect the output. The more decisions a player makes (even meaningless ones like choosing a slot theme), the stronger the feeling of agency becomes.
I won’t tell you what to do with this information because, hey, I think we should all think for ourselves, but if you recognize some of these patterns… Well, some changes can help you out!
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