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Profiling Online Poker Players: Are Executive Functions Correlated with Poker Ability and Problem Gambling?

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Abstract

Poker playing and responsible gambling both entail the use of the executive functions (EF), which are higher-level cognitive abilities. This study investigated if online poker players of different ability showed different performances in their EF and if so, which functions were the most discriminating for their playing ability. Furthermore, it assessed if the EF performance was correlated to the quality of gambling, according to self-reported questionnaires (PGSI, SOGS, GRCS). Three poker experts evaluated anonymized poker hand history files and, then, a trained professional administered an extensive neuropsychological test battery. Data analysis determined which variables of the tests correlated with poker ability and gambling quality scores. The highest correlations between EF test results and poker ability and between EF test results and gambling quality assessment showed that mostly different clusters of executive functions characterize the profile of the strong(er) poker player and those ones of the problem gamblers (PGSI and SOGS) and the one of the cognitions related to gambling (GRCS). Taking into consideration only the variables overlapping between PGSI and SOGS, we found some key predictive factors for a more risky and harmful online poker playing: a lower performance in the emotional intelligence competences (Emotional Quotient inventory Short) and, in particular, those grouped in the Intrapersonal scale (emotional self-awareness, assertiveness, self-regard, independence and self-actualization).

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Notes

  1. The study design was approved by the Ethical Committee of the University of Milano-Bicocca and it complies with the guiding policies and principles for experimental procedures of both the World Medical Association of Helsinki and the Oviedo Convention.

  2. Computed as \(\tanh (1.96/\sqrt{33}) \approx 0.33\).

  3. Here, by random it is meant that either sign has 50% probability of being extracted.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all the institutions that funded this research: Svenska Spel Research Council, University of Milano-Bicocca and Dalarna University. We express our gratitude to our partners Nordforce Technology AB and Il Giornale del Poker, Media Partner. We also thank the anonymous poker experts for their contribution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dalarna University, Borlänge, Sweden

    Mauro Schiavella

  2. B-ASC, Bicocca Applied Statistics Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Bicocca degli Arcimboldi 8, 20126, Milan, Italy

    Mauro Schiavella

  3. Department of Economics, Management and Statistics, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Bicocca degli Arcimboldi 8, 20126, Milan, Italy

    Matteo Pelagatti

  4. School of Technology and Business Studies, Computer Engineering, Dalarna University, Borlänge, Sweden

    Jerker Westin

  5. Sisal Poker Team Pro, Via Alessio di Toqueville 13, 20154, Milan, Italy

    Gabriele Lepore

  6. Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy

    Paolo Cherubini

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  1. Mauro Schiavella
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  2. Matteo Pelagatti
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  4. Gabriele Lepore
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Correspondence to Mauro Schiavella.

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Schiavella, M., Pelagatti, M., Westin, J. et al. Profiling Online Poker Players: Are Executive Functions Correlated with Poker Ability and Problem Gambling?. J Gambl Stud 34, 823–851 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-017-9741-z

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