The sights and sounds of the casino are designed to make you lose yourself in the atmosphere and suspend reality as you enter a fantasy world where there are no windows or clocks. When you sit down to play the slots, the spinning reels on the machines can have a hypnotic effect on some players. This is similar to a phenomenon many people experience while driving their cars known as “highway hypnosis.”
Highway Hypnosis
Anyone who has driven long distances has probably encountered a mental state that has become known as “highway hypnosis.” This is usually occurs when you are driving on a long straight road at a constant speed. Your body becomes relaxed and the passing lines in the road, sends your brain into a passive trance. You arrive at your destination with no recollection of having actually driven there or the length of time you were driving. Workers performing simple and repetitive tasks and people deprived of sleep are likely to experience similar symptoms.
These same symptoms can occur in slot players who deprive themselves of proper sleep and nutrition as they spend hours sitting in front of the slot machines playing their favorite game. Instead of watching passing lines in the center of the road they are staring at the spinning reels of the slot machine while performing the repetitive task of hitting the spin button. They are lulled into a state of state of “Slot Hypnosis” which causes them to lose all track of time and they are not aware of how long they have been playing the machines.
Avoiding the Trance
If you are one who finds yourself playing for longer than you planned to, there are some things you can do to avoid getting caught up in your game.
Don’t constantly stare straight into the screen. Keep your eyes moving while you are playing, this will keep you from fixating on the machine and make you more aware of your surroundings while keeping you alert.
Wear a watch when you go to the casino and make it a habit to check it occasionally. If you are by yourself you can set the alarm on your watch, phone, or IPod if you think that you will lose track of time.
Schedule breaks after a certain amount of playing time and then stick with the plan and get up from the machine.
If you go to the casino with friends, plan on meeting at a specific time for lunch, dinner or just to take a break. This is will insure you a break off point to get away from the machine. If you are not there your friends can come and find you.
Start by putting smaller denomination bills into the machine at the start of your playing session. If you run out of credits it will give you a natural point to take a break. It will also bring you back to reality if you have gotten into a state of slot hypnosis.
If you are playing with friends seated nearby, stop for a few seconds and chat between spins. You can socialize and play at the same time. And this will help keep you from losing track of time.
Don’t constantly stare straight into the screen. Keep your eyes moving while you are playing, this will keep you from fixating on the machine and make you more aware of your surroundings while keeping you alert.
We all want to have a good time when we visit the casino but it is not enjoyable when we come home exhausted from playing marathon sessions. Use these tips to avoid getting caught up in the game. Stay in control when you play, you will have a much better time.