The debate between data vs intuition when gambling has been going on for years. Some people claim that data is the most logical choice and the only way forward. However, others argue that human intuition is much more powerful than people believe.
The same debate has also carried over to gambling and casinos, with some people claiming that data is essential.
Both data and intuition have their pros and cons when gambling, but which one should you trust?
Data
Data is information that has been measured, collected, reported and analysed. It is in all kinds of industries, including casinos and gambling. Bookies and casinos have benefited from data by establishing more realistic odds. Gamblers have benefited by using any data available to get some sort of advantage in games by predicting outcomes and developing better strategies.
With the amount of data that is now available to the public, it would be silly not to use it to your advantage. You can use this data to figure out which game is more beneficial to play, or you can use it for more complex calculations such as figuring out the most common outcomes on a roulette wheel. Almost all casino games are measurable in some way. Furthermore, by collecting the relevant data, you will be able to gain some edge. When you’re at a casino, you probably won’t have a chance to check the data you require, but by remaining familiar with it, your best bet will likely be an educated one.
However, with more and more data becoming available to the public every day, it can be easy to become data-driven and rely on it to make decisions for you. There is so much data available that it can be hard to decide which information you should follow and which you should ignore. Observer bias is a real thing, and with the data available to you being objective, it can be quite easy to come to your conclusion by ignoring or missing data that doesn’t fit your agenda.
Intuition
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, intuition is “an ability to understand or know something immediately based on your feelings rather than facts”. It’s a vague, back-of-the-mind feeling that seems to heavily suggest that you make a decision on something rather than what the data suggests. For example, you might be encouraged to bet on a specific colour or double the amount that you’ve placed.
Considering that we’re living in a world that is obsessed with data, it can be hard to decide on your instinct. However, many scientists believe intuition isn’t random at all. One theory suggests that the brain collects all the impulses around us and compares the current situation to previous events. Moreover, which ends up making a decision – all without us knowing about it!
Using your intuition to make decisions is often encouraged in fast-paced environments such as casino games. Table games at casinos tend to move at a fast pace which leaves you with very little time to make a slow, methodical decision. Professional poker players tend to use their intuition more than other gamblers due to their experience.
Despite the benefits that intuition has, you should not solely rely on it. Although there are some theories about what human intuition is, we still don’t fully understand it. Furthermore, relying on it will probably end up in you losing more bets than you win. This doesn’t mean that intuition is worthless. It’s just that you’ll need to decide when it’s worth trusting it or whether it’s worth using the data available to you. This is something that you’ll get better at when you gain more experience.
Data vs Intuition when Gambling – Finding a Balance
When used correctly, data and intuition work well together. Data tells you what could happen while your intuition will help you make the decision. The best gamblers in the world tend to make a decision based on data. The more experienced gamblers, such as poker players, often claim that they use their intuition often. However, their experience in the industry has meant that they can trust it more than new players can.
Although a healthy balance between data and intuition seems to be the more logical choice, it is up to you whether to trust data vs intuition when gambling. Data might seem more sensible, but choosing your intuition could be more beneficial.
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