Most of us know that we can play our favorite casino games online without spending any money. A quick search for free casino games online will uncover dozens upon dozens of places to enjoy slots, blackjack, roulette and other pastimes using only play chips.
Of course, many gamblers want to play these same games with real money and deposit their own dollars, pounds and Euros so they can enjoy casino games.
What is it that makes using play chips different from using chips that were purchased with real money?
Before we answer that question, we might want to consider one other type of money. This is money in amounts that it is like using play chips. A few people have enough “loose” money that they can gamble without worrying about profit or loss. This is really not the issue.
We’re also not talking about scared money. That’s the money that shouldn’t be used for gambling because it is needed to pay bills – rent, car payments, groceries etc. This is definitely not a discussion of problem gambling.
This is just a simple look at the difference between playing when there is absolutely no pressure or worry about having the same amount of money we went in with. It’s about playing for pure fun and not hoping to leave the session with more money than we came in with.
One game that is very different when play chips are involved is poker. People at the play-chip tables have a much looser style simply because they aren’t concerned about losing money. Is this the case with blackjack, slots and roulette too? Knowledgeable gamblers would say that it is the case.
Most of the opinions expressed on this subject state that the point of using play chips is education. We can learn various casino games and get comfortable with casino software without committing our funds. If you are new to the online-casino world or want to try a new casino, play money may be the best approach.
If the games are the same, so that we can learn before we play “for real,” what makes us move to using real money? Why is it more exciting to gamble with our money as opposed to using chips that have no value outside the online world?
A thorough discussion of the psychology of gambling already occupies pages in various studies. It’s impossible to cover all the factors in this short space. But gambling that doesn’t get to the “problem” level is still exciting and challenging. It may even be necessary. Some psychiatrists and other medical personnel feel that some level of exhilaration and stress may be necessary to balance the quiet times of our lives.
Human beings need time away from work and mental challenge. Casino games with play chips may meet this need. Playing slots, craps and other games with real money could do the same, if the individual isn’t thinking about money. Can it be done? What do you think?
By Jim Hale
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Tags: blackjack, casino games, jim hale, poker, roulette, slots