Tilt in Online Poker: Loss of Control and Gambling Disorder

Axelle Moreau, Émeline Chauchard, Serge Sévigny and Isabelle Giroux
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Axelle Moreau: École de Psychologie, Université Laval, Pavillon Félix-Antoine-Savard, Québec, QC G1V 0A6Q, Canada
Émeline Chauchard: Laboratoire de Psychologie des Pays de la Loire, Université de Nantes, 44035 Nantes, France
Serge Sévigny: Département des Fondements et Pratiques en Éducation, Faculté des Sciences de L’éducation, Pavillon des Sciences de L’éducation, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Isabelle Giroux: École de Psychologie, Université Laval, Pavillon Félix-Antoine-Savard, Québec, QC G1V 0A6Q, Canada

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-14

Abstract: Online poker is a form of gambling where an element of skill may influence the outcome of the game. ‘Tilt’ in poker describes an episode during which the player can no longer control their game by rational decisions. It leads to a loss of control over the game, a loss of emotional regulation, higher cognitive distortion, and a loss of money. This phenomenon, experienced by most players, could be the gateway to excessive gambling. The aim of this study was to assess the links between the frequency of tilt episodes, cognitive distortion, anxiety, depression, sensation seeking and excessive online poker gambling. Our sample is composed of 291 online poker players, with a mean age of 33.8 years (SD = 10.6). Participants completed an online self-assessment questionnaire, measuring the frequency of tilt episodes, cognitive distortion, anxiety, depression and impulsivity. The findings indicated that the frequency of tilt episodes and cognitive distortion were the only significant predictors of excessive online gambling (respectively, r = 0.49 and r = 0.20). Tilt frequency and cognitive distortion were strongly correlated (GRCS, r = 0.60), moderate to low correlations were found for tilt and anxiety (HADS, r = 0.40), and positive and negative urgency (UPPS, r = 0.27). To date, tilt has seldom been studied, and could improve our understanding of online poker gamblers. It could be a new means of identifying at risk gamblers, and thus facilitating preventive measures specifically adapted to this population.

Keywords: online gambling; poker; tilt; pathological gambling; model; predictors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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