Moon
A study conducted at Duke University has found sleep deprived gamblers are more likely to take risks than those who have had a good night’s sleep. The study, which has been published in Journal of Neuroscience, tested 29 volunteers on their attitudes to gambling on outcomes. As the volunteers became more sleep deprived, their attitudes towards certain wagers changed. According to an article published in The Independent, the sleep deprived participants began to focus more on the potential positives of a bet, as opposed to the negatives.
According to Professor Scott Huettel, of Duke University, the study will have implications for medical professionals who work long shifts. Professor Huettel told The Independent that sleep deprivation can cause people to “value something more, and other things less”. Most casino players are aware that they should only wager when well-rested, as they’re more likely to make mistakes when tired. However, this new research highlights that as well as making mistakes, players could misjudge the risks involved in a wager. The study will no doubt be of interest to poker players in particular, who often spend long hours in online tournaments and rooms.
