| Squares and Sharps, Suckers and Sharks: The Science, Psychology & Philosophy of Gambling Contributor(s): Buchdahl, Joseph (Author) |
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ISBN: 0857304844 ISBN-13: 9780857304841 Publisher: High Stakes OUR PRICE: $38.69 Product Type: Paperback Published: August 2021 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Games & Activities | Gambling - General (see Also Self-help - Compulsive Behavior) - Psychology | Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior |
| Physical Information: 1.1" H x 5.98" W x 9.13" (1.05 lbs) 352 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: People have been gambling, in one form or another, for as long as history itself. Why? Money, entertainment, escape and a desire to win are all traditional explanations. Arguably, however, these are secondary considerations to a higher order purpose: a craving for control. Gambling offers a means of gaining authority over the unknown, granting us a sense of control over uncertainty. Almost always that sense is illusory - gambling, including betting and investing, is essentially random - yet for many it is nonetheless profoundly rewarding. This book attempts to explore the reasons why. Along the way, it examines: the science of probability and uncertainty; why gambling is often condemned; the difference between expectation and utility; the irrationality of human beings; evolutionary perspectives on gambling; luck and skill; market efficiency and the wisdom of crowds; why winners take all; cheating; why the process matters more than the outcome. |