In our pilot study investigating Texas Hold ‘em poker, we found that players bluffing (with a losing hand) elicits a similar physiological arousal response (as measured by skin conductance levels) to those in a position of strength and poised to win. Since arousal has been suggested to be a reinforcing factor in problematic gambling behaviour, we sought to replicate the findings of our pilot study in the current investigation. We aimed to extend our previous findings further by: isolating truthful betting (strong betting) to disambiguate deception when players are in positions of strength (i.e. trapping), measuring subjective excitement levels and risk assessments, investigating the physiological arousal responses following wins versus losses, and finally, exploring group differences (i.e. problem gambling status, experience levels). 71 participants played 20 naturalistic rounds of Texas Hold ‘em poker for monetary rewards. We were able to replicate our previous findings that bluffing triggers a physiological arousal (as measured by skin conductance responses) similar to truthful strong betting. Trapping was also found to elicit a skin conductance response similar to both bluffing and strong betting. Measures of subjective excitement revealed a pattern that converged with physiological data. Furthermore, wins were found to be more arousing than losses. Finally, our exploratory analysis of group differences (i.e. problem gambling status, experience) proved to be an insignificant factor with all measures. We conclude that the effect of bluffing on physiological arousal is so powerful that it pervades all participants; which is problematic due to its risky nature and potential to be self-triggered. With its ever increasing popularity and availability, more research on Texas Hold ‘em poker is warranted for treatment implications.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 104-107).

Thesis: Ph.D.-- University of Western Sydney, Macarthur, 2000. / [A thesis presented to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Dept. of Psychology]. Bibliography: p. 299-314.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Kentucky, 2004. / Title from document title page (viewed Jan. 6, 2005). Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 32p. Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 30-31).

La santé publique s’inquiète des risques de problèmes de jeu chez les joueurs de poker (JdP). Alors que la littérature souligne l’importance de la passion chez les joueurs de hasard et d’argent, son influence chez les JdP est totalement méconnue. Jusqu’alors, l’emprunt d’un devis transversal est la règle pour l’ensemble des études s’étant intéressées à la passion chez des joueurs. Selon la littérature, deux formes de passion coexistent chez les joueurs, la passion obsessive (PO) et la passion harmonieuse (PH), leur intensité respective étant plus ou moins importante. Cette étude mixte séquentielle comprend une première phase quantitative corrélationnelle transversale (n=159) et longitudinale (n=116), suivie d’une seconde phase qualitative descriptive (n=12) permettant d’approfondir et de contextualiser les données quantitatives. Cette étude, qui s’inscrit dans une étude plus large, comprend des joueurs qui se considèrent JdP, recrutés à travers le Québec et vise à : 1) évaluer l’association entre les deux formes de passion et les problèmes de jeu; 2) évaluer l’influence, un an plus tard, des deux formes de passion sur les problèmes de jeu; 3) étudier la pertinence du concept de passion et mieux comprendre les liens entre la passion et les problèmes de jeu selon les joueurs. La phase quantitative a fait l’objet d’analyses de régression logistique multivariées et la phase qualitative, une analyse de contenu thématique. Les résultats transversaux et longitudinaux de la première phase quantitative sont concordants. Dans ces deux volets, la PO est positivement associée aux problèmes de jeu à un temps donné (p<.05) et la PO double le risque d’avoir des problèmes de jeu un an plus tard (p<.01) alors que la PH n’est pas associée. La phase qualitative appuie globalement les résultats quantitatifs. Les joueurs rencontrés se sont montrés enthousiastes à aborder la passion du poker et considèrent que le terme passion est pertinent pour aborder leur relation avec cette activité. Alors que la grande majorité a indiqué avoir été ou être encore passionnée de poker, ils associent la PO aux problèmes de jeu, même s’il est possible d’être passionné sans avoir de problèmes de jeu. Par ailleurs, la passion serait l’un des facteurs influençant les comportements de jeu, mais n’est pas nécessairement déterminante puisqu’un joueur peut continuer à jouer sans être passionné et à l’inverse être passionné sans nécessairement jouer fréquemment. Compte tenu de la pertinence pour les JdP de ce concept et de son influence sur les comportements de jeu, il est important de prévenir la passion obsessive. / Abstract : Public health is concerned about the risks of gambling problems among poker players. While literature emphasizes the importance of passion among gamblers, its influence among poker players is totally unknown. Until then, using a cross-sectional design is the rule for all the studies interested in passion among gamblers. According to the literature, two forms of passion coexist in players, obsessive passion (OP) and harmonious passion (HP), with a variable intensity, respectively. This sequential mixed method study includes a first cross-sectional (n = 159) and longitudinal (n = 116) quantitative phase, followed by a second descriptive qualitative phase (n = 12) allowing to deepen and contextualize the quantitative data. This study, which is part of a broader study, includes players who consider themselves poker players, recruited throughout Quebec and aims to: 1) assess the association between the two forms of passion and gambling problems; 2) assess the influence, one year later, of the two forms of passion on gambling problems; 3) study the relevance of the concept of passion and to better understand the associations between passion and gambling problems according to the poker players. Multivariate logistic regression and a thematic content analysis were used to the quantitative and qualitative phases, respectively. Cross-sectional and longitudinal results of the first quantitative phase are consistent. In both cases, OP is positively associated with gambling problems at a given time (p <.05) and PO doubles the risk of gambling problems a year later (p <.01) whereas PH is not associated. The qualitative phase generally supports the quantitative results. Poker players interviewed were enthusiastic to speak about the passion of poker and consider that the term ‘passion’ is relevant to describe their relationship with this activity. While the vast majority said they have been or still are passionate about poker, they associate the PO with gambling problems, although it is possible to be passionate without having gambling problems. Moreover, passion is one of the factors influencing gambling behaviours but is not necessarily determinant since a poker player can continue to play without being passionate and conversely being passionate without necessarily playing frequently. Given the relevance of this concept for poker players and its influence on gambling behaviours, it is important to prevent obsessive passion.

Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka och utveckla teorier för att undvika detektering vid online pokerspelande med en pokerbot. En bot är ett program som utför en rad operationer inom ett givet regelverk utan att en användare behöver styra eller övervaka programmet. Teorierna skall vara generella nog för att kunna användas för spel på en rad populära online pokerspelsidor. Pokerspelet som uppsatsen avser är Texas Hold’em poker, ett hasardspel som fått stor uppmärksamhet i media på senare år tack vare stora vinstsummor och ett spritt spelande på internet. / The purpose of this essay is to investigate and develop theories to avoid detection during online gambling using a poker bot. A bot is a program that performs a set of operations within a given set of rules without the need of a user to control or monitor the program. The theories must be general enough to be used for a wide variety of popular online poker gaming sites. The poker game referred to in this essay is Texas Hold’em poker, a form of gambling that has gained much attention in the media over the last few years thanks to large payouts and a widespread use on the Internet.

This thesis deals with factors which are important for making decisions in the game of poker. The goal is to find a way to improve players chances of success in this game. The first two chapters describe the rules of poker and the basics and presumptions of the game theory The following chapters analyze some mathematical models and assumptions for applying these models in the game. These models should find the optimal solution for individuals in decision making situations. It can be considered a static situation, where the behavior of each player is predetermined and the decision maker tries to find an appropriate strategy. It is also can be considered a dynamic situation, when all players react to each other, which heads to equilibrium solution. As a consequence of rising popularity of poker tournaments many strategy books have appeared, as well as analytic software. Nevertheless, it is and probably will remain impossible to solve all decision situations which can occur. A very important factor of success are some gamblers attitude, experience and mental skills. Mathematical knowledge, however, will become more and more important. This thesis will help to understand the basic of mathematic models and their application in poker game.

<p>Mänskligheten har, sedan urminnes tider, ägnat sig åt spel om pengar och i vår tid har omfattningen expanderat. Under året 2006 genererade den globala spelmarknaden cirka 1 805 miljarder kronor netto, vilket kan jämföras med Sveriges bruttonationalprodukt, som motsvarande år uppgick till summan 2 832 miljarder kronor. På den totala svenska spelmarknaden omsattes detta år omkring 54 miljarder kronor brutto. Hasardspel är således en bred mondial företeelse, som är intressant att studera därför att den har en stor influens på många individers liv och ligger i tiden, vilket också återspeglas av det massmediala intresset.</p><p>Uppsatsens huvudsakliga målsättning är att klarlägga hur spelandet har ökat under inledningen av det nya millenniet. De underliggande frågorna syftar till att förklara hur denna spelomsättningsökning är fördelad mellan marknadens aktörer och spelformer, samt i vilken utsträckning spelomsättningsökningen har genererats av den tekniska och den ekonomiska utvecklingen jämte spelbolagens marknadsföring. </p><p>Syftet är att utreda hur hasardspelandet har ökat i Sverige under inledningen av det nya millenniet samt en ambition att öka läsarnas bildningsgrad av det svenska och mondiala fenomenet hasardspel.</p><p>Data har insamlats genom en induktiv och huvudsakligen kvantitativ metod, där utvalda teorier från genomgången kurslitteratur samt egna tillämpningar av dessa presenteras i de båda kapitlen om teori, medan svar från enkätundersökningar sammanställs i avsnittet om empiri. De olika delarnas innehåll sammanvävs i analysen till en konkret slutsats.</p><p>Årsomsättningen på den totala svenska spelmarknaden har från år 1999 till år 2006 stigit med omkring 17,4 miljarder kronor eller 48 procent. Nytillkomna aktörer, befintliga spelformers ökning och nya spelobjekt har tillsammans med den tekniska utvecklingen och den upptrappade marknadsföringen medverkat till denna omsättningsökning, som även är reell. Spelomsättningsökningen bör, trots att den svenska har varit och enligt mig fortsättningsvis kommer att vara större än den globala, beskrivas såsom en bred internationell trend.</p> / <p>Since time immemorial, mankind has engaged in playing different games for money and nowadays the scale of such has greatly expanded. In 2006, the global gambling market generated a net of approximately USD 279 000 million, while the Swedish domestic gambling market grossed approximately USD 8 000 million. Gambling is thus a very widespread, global phenomenon which is interesting to study because it has a big influence on many individuals' lives and is actual, which is also reflected by the interest of the mass media.</p><p>This essay's main goal is to clarify how gambling has increased in the beginning of this millennium. Some of the underlying questions aim to explain how this increase in gambling activity is divided between the gambling companies and gambling forms, as well as to what extent this increase in gambling activity has been spurred by economic and technical development, together with more intensive marketing campaigns by the gambling companies.</p><p>The purpose of this essay is to investigate how gambling has increased in Sweden in the beginning of this millennium, as well as an ambition to increase the reader's knowledge of both the Swedish and the global gambling phenomena.</p><p>Data has been collected by inductive and mainly quantitative methods. Selected theories along with my own applications of these are plainly presented in the chapters on theory, while answers from inquiries have been compiled in the empirical chapter. The content of the various sections is woven together in the analysis for a concrete conclusion.</p><p>From 1999 until 2006, the annual volume for the Swedish gambling market has increased by USD 2 700 million, or 48 percentage. Fresh gambling companies, an increase in existing gambling forms and new games of chance, together with technical development and additional intensive marketing contributed to this increase in volume, which are indeed real. This increase is a widespread, international trend, despite the fact that the Swedish gambling increase has been, and in my own opinion will continue to be, greater than the global increase.</p>

Mänskligheten har, sedan urminnes tider, ägnat sig åt spel om pengar och i vår tid har omfattningen expanderat. Under året 2006 genererade den globala spelmarknaden cirka 1 805 miljarder kronor netto, vilket kan jämföras med Sveriges bruttonationalprodukt, som motsvarande år uppgick till summan 2 832 miljarder kronor. På den totala svenska spelmarknaden omsattes detta år omkring 54 miljarder kronor brutto. Hasardspel är således en bred mondial företeelse, som är intressant att studera därför att den har en stor influens på många individers liv och ligger i tiden, vilket också återspeglas av det massmediala intresset. Uppsatsens huvudsakliga målsättning är att klarlägga hur spelandet har ökat under inledningen av det nya millenniet. De underliggande frågorna syftar till att förklara hur denna spelomsättningsökning är fördelad mellan marknadens aktörer och spelformer, samt i vilken utsträckning spelomsättningsökningen har genererats av den tekniska och den ekonomiska utvecklingen jämte spelbolagens marknadsföring.  Syftet är att utreda hur hasardspelandet har ökat i Sverige under inledningen av det nya millenniet samt en ambition att öka läsarnas bildningsgrad av det svenska och mondiala fenomenet hasardspel. Data har insamlats genom en induktiv och huvudsakligen kvantitativ metod, där utvalda teorier från genomgången kurslitteratur samt egna tillämpningar av dessa presenteras i de båda kapitlen om teori, medan svar från enkätundersökningar sammanställs i avsnittet om empiri. De olika delarnas innehåll sammanvävs i analysen till en konkret slutsats. Årsomsättningen på den totala svenska spelmarknaden har från år 1999 till år 2006 stigit med omkring 17,4 miljarder kronor eller 48 procent. Nytillkomna aktörer, befintliga spelformers ökning och nya spelobjekt har tillsammans med den tekniska utvecklingen och den upptrappade marknadsföringen medverkat till denna omsättningsökning, som även är reell. Spelomsättningsökningen bör, trots att den svenska har varit och enligt mig fortsättningsvis kommer att vara större än den globala, beskrivas såsom en bred internationell trend. / Since time immemorial, mankind has engaged in playing different games for money and nowadays the scale of such has greatly expanded. In 2006, the global gambling market generated a net of approximately USD 279 000 million, while the Swedish domestic gambling market grossed approximately USD 8 000 million. Gambling is thus a very widespread, global phenomenon which is interesting to study because it has a big influence on many individuals' lives and is actual, which is also reflected by the interest of the mass media. This essay's main goal is to clarify how gambling has increased in the beginning of this millennium. Some of the underlying questions aim to explain how this increase in gambling activity is divided between the gambling companies and gambling forms, as well as to what extent this increase in gambling activity has been spurred by economic and technical development, together with more intensive marketing campaigns by the gambling companies. The purpose of this essay is to investigate how gambling has increased in Sweden in the beginning of this millennium, as well as an ambition to increase the reader's knowledge of both the Swedish and the global gambling phenomena. Data has been collected by inductive and mainly quantitative methods. Selected theories along with my own applications of these are plainly presented in the chapters on theory, while answers from inquiries have been compiled in the empirical chapter. The content of the various sections is woven together in the analysis for a concrete conclusion. From 1999 until 2006, the annual volume for the Swedish gambling market has increased by USD 2 700 million, or 48 percentage. Fresh gambling companies, an increase in existing gambling forms and new games of chance, together with technical development and additional intensive marketing contributed to this increase in volume, which are indeed real. This increase is a widespread, international trend, despite the fact that the Swedish gambling increase has been, and in my own opinion will continue to be, greater than the global increase.

<p>Spelandet om pengar på Internet växer dag för dag. Kasinospel, sportsbetting, lotterier med flera spel finns att spela över Internet. Allt man behöver är en dator med Internetuppkopp-ling och ett kreditkort. Även kortspelet poker har nu etablerat sig på Internet. Detta poker-spel benämns idag i massmedia och folkmun som ”nätpoker”. Nätpoker har nu vuxit fram som ett alternativ till den traditionella livepokern.</p><p>Syftet med uppsatsen är att redogöra för hur Internet har påverkat formerna för kortspelet poker, samt vilka eventuella konsekvenser det har bidragit till.</p><p>Vi har gjort en utforskande studie för att lära oss om spel, missbruk och poker. Med stöd av detta utformade vi två hypoteser samt ett antal frågeställningar när det gäller Internets påverkan på poker samt dess konsekvenser. Hypoteserna lyder som följande:</p><p>Hypotes 1: Internet har fått kortspelet poker att växa i Sverige.</p><p>Hypotes 2: Nätpoker leder till ett ökat spelberoende.</p><p>Vår empiriska forskning har skett genom en enkätundersökning. Undersökningen riktade sig till pokerspelare i mellersta Sverige. Vi delade ut 65 enkäter som alla fylldes i av perso-ner som spelar nätpoker.</p><p>Resultatet från vår empiriska undersökning visar klart och tydligt att Internet har haft en stor inverkan på att kortspelet poker har vuxit och ökat i popularitet i Sverige. Hela 97 % av respondenterna menade på att de inte hade spelat poker ifall det inte hade funnits på In-ternet. Att poker idag finns på Internet har lett till att tillgängligheten har ökat när det gäller att hitta spelare att spela emot samt att utbudet av olika nivåer leder till att olika slags per-soner vänder sig till dessa pokersajter. Vi kan även utifrån vår undersökning se att nätpoker i sig inte bidrar till att spelandet på andra spel om pengar ökar, men dock att nätpoker har lett till att många har blivit spelberoende. Av respondenterna i denna undersökning ansåg sig 30 % vara spelberoende och 75 % av dessa menade att nätpoker har bidragit mycket till detta spelberoende. Nätpoker har även bidragit till att många pokerspelare idag slutat upp med tidigare fritidsintressen samt motionsaktiviteter.</p> / <p>Gambling for money on the Internet is growing every day. Casino gaming, sportsbetting, lotteries and more games are available all over the Internet. All you need to gamble is a computer with Internetconnection and a credit card. Even the card game poker has estab-lished a base on the Internet today. This type of poker is today called “Netpoker” by the media and by common mouth. Netpoker has grown as an alternative to the more tradi-tional livepoker. Netpoker has during the last months become vastly popular and its popu-larity is growing every day in Sweden.</p><p>The purpose with this thesis is to show how Internet has affected the forms of the game of poker and what the consequences are of this effect.</p><p>We have conducted an explorative research to learn about gambling, addiction and poker. With this information as a base we formed two hypotheses and few additional questions that we wanted to investigate. Our hypotheses was as followed:</p><p>Hypothesis 1: Internet has made the card game poker to grow in Sweden.</p><p>Hypothesis 2: Netpoker leads to an increased addiction in gambling.</p><p>Our empirical research has been made through a questionnaire survey. Our study was con-centrated to the area of middle Sweden were we handed out 65 questionnaires and all of them were answered by people playing netpoker.</p><p>The results of our empirical study, clearly shows that Internet has had a big impact on that the card game poker has grown and increased in popularity in Sweden. 97 % of our re-spondents said that they would not have played poker if it was not available on the Inter-net. Netpoker leads to an increased availability and to the ease of finding opponents to play against. Netpoker also offers more cash limits, which in other terms leads to that different kinds of people play poker on the different pokersites. We can also see that netpoker is not contributing to increased gambling on other games but netpoker has led to an increased gambling addiction among our respondents. 30 % of the respondents in this survey consid-ered that they have a gambling addiction problem and 75 % of these respondents ment that netpoker has contributed much to their gambling addictions. The netpoker has also con-tributed to the fact that many netpoker players has finished recreational pursuits and other exercise activities.</p>