Research by two Israeli scientists shows that experience or knowledge is not the secret to betting success. Two Israeli scientists, Professor Pinhas Dannon and Dr. Ronen Huberfeld published research on football gambling addicts in Psychopathology.
They discover an unexpected truth: Experience or knowledge is not the secret to betting success. The evidence is that the two best players in the study had no gambling experience or knowledge of any sports.
Although betting is commonly associated with casino games, sports betting is increasingly popular and unlike other gambling games. Professor Dannon explained: “Sports bettors often have a strong belief that they are the smartest players. With their experience and knowledge, they are able to predict results better than ordinary people.”
In research, scientists focus on football betting field. Because this is the most popular and fastest growing form of betting. All participants are required to wager on the score of the last 16 Champions League knockout matches. This model simulates the gamblers actually put their money in the games. Players must predict the outcome to win.
Scientists expect people with knowledge of football to have a higher success rate. But in fact, the researchers found that their success rates were no better than those in the other two groups. Interestingly, the two most successful players, betting on exactly 7/16 matches, all come from a group that has no understanding of the sport.
“This doesn’t mean inexperience is an advantage,” says Professor Dannon. Many people in the third group were unable to correctly predict the score of any match. This result has revealed the truth, that knowledge is not an advantage in betting. The sense of control that encourages players to believe in themselves is just an illusion.
Casino gamblers have little confidence in themselves, and know that sooner or later they will lose it. But they still gamble because they are addicted to gambling. On the contrary, gamblers truly believe that they can control the outcome of their matches. Due to these different pathological features, different treatment regimens are required.