MBTI Personalities and Gambling

When it comes to gambling, online or offline, our initial associations to the topic are usually intertwined with an idea of financial gain. Remember that tingling feeling just before the lottery numbers are to be announced? That enticing prickle on your palms before you throw dices on craps table baize? Lightning sensation spreading from your stomach as you realize that you have a great poker hand?

It can last for split second or more, depending on game and players. Eventually, of course, reality kicks in and our rationality take over — not all linings are made out of silver.

The root of that sensation…

…is deeply harbored in our mind. Maybe even in our DNA. Most definitely, it is part of our human nature. Who could blame us? After all, we’ve been gambling since 1700BC while some place the date as back as 3700BC.

To no surprise, we’re quite devoted and dedicated to “taking a risk in exchange for some greater value [and] potential to gain huge and quick wealth”.

Puritans might challenge this ‘quite devoted and dedicated’ writing construction. (And, for the record, there is the other side of gambling, not so enticing at all, but be patient, we’re getting there!)

But, how would you define our approach to the activity in which we globally invest $446.07 billion?

Yup, that is the combined handle on all land-based and online casinos, sports betting, racing, bingo, lotteries, and gaming machines worldwide in 2018, according to H2 Gambling Capital.

You could build 34 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers of Ford-class (e.g. CVN-78, USS Gerald R. Ford) and keep $3 billion for, dunno, something. It is worth of 20 months of Apple revenues in all sales. You can buy JPMorgan Chase (like all of it!) plus keep enough change to purchase 80% of the whole BMW Group.

In case you were wondering, the global house edge is approximately 4.62 percent, give it or take.

Naturally, the topic of players’ inner drive to commit to gambling can never be exploited to its final extent. Our motives, desires, beliefs, and other forces steering us toward games of chance are subjects of interest of different academic disciplines as well as legislators and gambling regulative authorities.

The simple truth is that gambling is a complex social phenomenon present in our society for millennia. It is embossed in our multifaceted pursue of a better life.

Considering its financial volume nowadays, there is only but one way to address it — in a socially responsible manner that is to continue buildup of legal and well-regulated environments for all games to be played in any realm.

The peculiarity of gambling topic is, of course, fact that we’re dealing with human beings.

So, in the prevailing climate of the aftermath of 2018 — a seminal year for American and worldwide gambling — we thought it might be interesting to look into that harbor of our mind and see what lies beneath.

Since we’ve already addressed seven psychological profiles of gamblers — with a particular review of responsible gambling, compulsive disorder, and significance of proper regulations that provide for players’ protection — this time we are using Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) trying to see how each of its types might approach and fare in gambling.

You can be a video poker iGamer, fifty bucks casino slots’ player from Atlantic City, high-stakes poker gambler in Brooklyn, zealous weekly lottery man, sportsbook or horse racing betting aficionado, baccarat high-roller whale in Las Vegas, or a person that never rolled a single dice in its life — you fit into one of sixteen MBTI categories.

Everyone does.

But, before we begin, what exactly is MBTI?

A self-assessing system that provides for different psychological preferences on how we make our decisions and how we perceive the world around us. The system is based on four axes:

• Worldview: do you focus on the inner or outer world, known as introversion (I) or extraversion (E);
• Information: do you focus on basic info received or do you prefer to interpret and add meanings, correlating to intuition (N) and sensing (S);
• Decisions: do you base them on logic and consistency, or you like to look at the people and circumstances, called thinking (T) or feeling (F);
• Structure: in dealings with your life, do you like things to be decided or to remain open to new developments, also defined as judging (J) or perceiving (P).

The profiling output is usually thoughtful and revealing, insightful and relieving, and represents a helpful tool for personal growth, understanding of life, and meaningful and peaceful existence.

What about the games of luck and skill?

INTJ (The Architect): Confident Gamblers

One of the rarest types of all MBTI (2% of the population), architects are confident players. Striving perpetually for knowledge and enjoying their high intellectual levels, they rely on introversion, intuition, and judgment, but most of all, on their thinking abilities to make sound judgments. Whatever INTJs do it has to be logical and must be analyzed properly by their back end. These people are just not fans of the leap of fate thing.

They prefer to have a plan for everything and will act upon it only if they are assured of the success and benefits regardless of how enticing the opportunity may be. With security as a paramount characteristic, INTJs are gambling-wise low-risk takers that would most likely be engaged in table games like poker and its variants, where their brilliant minds would compensate for luck factor. Generally highly confident persons, they might prefer brick and mortar casinos more than online ones, since they could benefit from other players and their telltale signs. It is assumed that Nikola Tesla, John Nash, Thomas Jefferson, Donald Rumsfeld, Dwight Eisenhower, Jane Austen, and Lance Armstrong are INTJs.

INTP (The Logician): Logical Gamblers

Known as The Philosophers, INTPs enjoy in usually high levels of intellect and substantial creative capacities. Always conceiving new ideas, new concepts, abstract strategies, and stuff, they may often seem detached and indifferent to the remaining 97% of the population. Possessing significant fear of failure, INTPs are willing to do anything to avoid it, including to reevaluate their own ingeniosity. When it comes to gambling, it correlates to a low likelihood of games based on luck as the prevailing factor, like slots, betting, lotteries, and baccarat. Mentally attuned to skills improvement, INTPs would be more comfortable with poker, blackjack, maybe even with roulette.

Logical thinking and intuition…

…would do them well in poker, just as analytical mind and strategic worldview might help them make money in blackjack. To a certain extent, though, because INTPs don’t like to take high-risks unless they’re absolutely positive of the outcome. If assured, on the other hand, INTPs indeed enjoy in an adrenalin rush, even strive for it; therefore, the land-based casino would suit them better than online one. Intrinsically logical creatures, it is presumed that Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Immanuel Kant, Abraham Lincoln, Dustin Hoffman, and Larry Page are INTPs.

ENTJ (The Commander): Strategic Gamblers

Natural-born leaders gifted with charisma and confidence, Commanders represents 3% of the population and project authority worthy of crowds following them. Driven by extreme rational levels they are capable to achieve any goal they set their eyes on by using the inner drive, determination, sharp minds, and readiness to take risks. Strongly-willed, they don’t shy of imposing their logic when it comes to others in order to prevent any irrational developments. Gambling-wise, INTJs will joyfully engage in table games, poker, and baccarat mostly, which could provide them with the possibility to demonstrate intellectual superiority and a great opportunity for a good challenge (they just love to have). Land-based casinos are more likely to intrigue INTJs than online ones considering Commanders’ ability to read people to great extent.

One way or the other…

…it is very important for INTJs to set their gambling limits firmly for they are susceptible to arrogance, condescension, and even occasional significant level of insensitivity, which is when they can get into troubles. It is believed that Steve Jobs, Margaret Thatcher, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Bill Gates, David Petraeus, and Warren Buffett are ENTJs.

ENTP (The Debater): Knowledgeable Gamblers

As independent thinkers that accounts for 3% of the population, Debaters enjoy in demonstrating their quick wits, less for the sake of deeper meaning or purpose and more for others to see it clearly. Why? It is so much fun. ENTPs truly enjoy mental sparring and in an opportunity to connect what others have not seen as a connection. If you want to split your hairline vertically or to realize a problem from any conceivable angle — your own view included — ENTPs are probably ones you’d like to hear.

Possessing those levels of intellectual understanding, Debaters will likely engage their brilliant minds in gambling as an opportunity to exercise their knowledge. Any variant of poker and blackjack in a land-based casino would suffice. In doing so, they would probably engage in low-risk bets since they tend to avoid the grunt work (necessary activity for big wins). In addition, their inclination to pick apart every single thing that other side does might lead to painful experiences in high-stakes games. Walt Disney, Thomas Edison, Leonardo da Vinci, Alexander the Great, Socrates, and Tom Hanks are likely ENTPs.

INFJ (The Advocate): Intuitive Gamblers

The rarest type, making up less than one percent of the population, Advocates are paradox on two legs. Soft-spoken with very strong opinions, tireless fighters ready to lead any battle in which cause they believe only to disappear once the idealism and morality are gone, decisive and strong-willed for others but almost never for themselves. INFJs employ their creativity, convictions, sensitivity, and highly developed intuition to create balance everywhere believing in egalitarianism and meritocracy.

Unlikely fascinated by gambling itself INFJs love the challenge and risk-taking rush it provides. Being intuitive and strategic thinkers with focused on the big picture, they are probably to be attracted by sports betting or roulette instead of table games or one-armed bandits. The foresight ability in conjunction with intellectual capacities can make them outstanding backgammon players, while they might indulge in baccarat (and excel occasionally).

When Advocates establish a connection (with anything, including the game) it is extremely difficult for them to detach; being heavily affected by any type of failure, INFJs should, therefore, set their limits when it comes to the potential realm of high-stakes games. Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Carl Jung, Plato, J.K. Rowling, and Gandhi are believed to be INFJs.

INFP (The Mediator): Idealistic Gamblers

Making up for 4% of the population, Mediators are the people you want on your lifeboat. Omnipresent silver liners, they are calm, astute, driven by honor, beauty, morality, and virtue that drive and sustain their inner flame and passion. Ready to go to the extremes in order to reach the goal they believe in (as true idealists), INFPs can be quite good gamblers because it can provide them with an outstanding fun when they need to detach themselves from everybody (which they do). Relying heavily on intuition they could be pretty good with slots and roulette, possibly even baccarat; other table games may not be able to provide for expected excitement and entertainment.

INFPs should be very careful when gambling since they are prone to lose themselves in their quests, occasionally even drift away, lose touch, and easily enter hermit mode, which makes them potentially prone to become problematic or even compulsive gamblers. In an ideal world, INFPs (just as INFJs) should be accompanied in casinos by a trusted advisor. It is assumed that Shakespeare, Julia Roberts, George Orwell, Van Gogh, Warhol, Bob Marley, and Derek Jeter are INFPs.

ENFJ (The Protagonist): Gamblers with Control

Like Commanders, Protagonists are charismatic, natural-born leaders that are passionate, authentic, concerned, and altruistic individuals unafraid to speak when they feel they should. Representing 2% of the population — with only extroversion that sets them apart from INFJs — they are fueled by the same principles that often lead them into politics, teaching, or coaching, where they can exercise influential confidence that can guide others toward improvement. When it comes to gambling, Protagonists would make good poker or blackjack players since they love to exercise control. It is more likely that they will play in land-based casinos against other players, relying both on their ability to read people and high levels of intuition.

While roulette might seem to be a bit off for Protagonists, it is not inconceivable to imagine them as very good players once they befriended its strategies, provided their bankroll can sustain that passion. ENFJs should make for the least problematic players in casinos and would probably be liked by dealers for their generosity. Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Jordan, Goethe, and Abraham Maslow are likely ENFJs.

ENFP (The Campaigner): Exciting Gamblers

Campaigners are free spirits amounting for 7% of the population. Highly sociable persons, charming, energetic, compassionate, and independent thinkers, they see life as one big riddle that is not to be solved but enjoyed through the deeper meaning of our emotions, compassion, and mysticism. Thrusting often into the spotlight where they excel, ENFPs craves for the freedom to be innovative; in fact, their self-esteem depends on it. They can also exercise overreliance on the intuition that might lead them to misread the signs, often resulting in frustration when they realize there was a less complicated way of doing things.

These two traits — inter-dependable self-esteem and frustration — are what require ENFPs to exercise very careful approach gambling. Their energy and joy of socializing make them attracted to the lavishness of land-based casinos and table games like roulette, craps, and even poker. They enjoy the thrill of playing and the excitement of taking risks since they thrive in being rewarded but they should — in fact, they have to — set their limits prudently. It is presumed that Robert Downey Jr., Will Smith, Drew Barrymore, Anais Nin, Tom Brady, Orson Welles, and Che Guevara are ENFPs.

ISTJ (The Logistician): Serious Gamblers

Representing the largest and most abundant MBTI type (13% of all population), Logisticians’ characteristics are responsibility, integrity, practical logic, accountability, and almost tireless devotion to their duty. Not being impulsive, they don’t take risks and analyze, fact-check surroundings with little assumptions. No-nonsense people with little tolerance to indecisiveness, ISTJs have a sharp, fact-based mindset, with a high sense of personal integrity. On the other hand, they tend to lose patience when challenged by unconventional and impractical or unviable theories. They can be rather stubborn when it comes to controlling the stability and efficiency which can sometimes result in a strain going unchecked for years.

When gambling,..

…ISTJs usually play poker, and can indeed excel at it — ISTJs may struggle to express emotion or affection externally, a good trait for poker face — while they often consider other games too volatile for their taste. Their character enables them to utilize and maximize strategy and rules to their benefits while their gambling Achilles heel may be exposed against eccentric players capable to get under their skin. George H.W. Bush, Condoleezza Rice, Jeff Bezos, Peter Thiel, Evander Holyfield, Robert De Niro, Denzel Washington, Stonewall Jackson, and Sigmund Freud are thought to be ISTJs.

ISFJ (The Defender): Perfectionist Gamblers

A quite unique personality type that constitutes 13% of all population, ISFJs have outstanding analytical abilities, quite developed social skills (regardless of being introverts), are receptive to change (irrespective to their judging trait), possess enormous desire to do good, are meticulous and, above all, perfectionists that take responsibility on a personal level that enables them to go above and beyond regularly. To exceed expectations and delight others come naturally to Defenders.

However, they are humble, underplay their accomplishments and bounce off the compliments preferring to stay out of the spotlight at any cost. In gambling, ISFJs often relies on their excellent memory and perception which can make them good blackjack players. Since they usually prefer to compete only with themselves (much more than with the others), iGaming https://www.realmoneyaction.com/casinos/ may be more likely choice than land-based casinos (ISFJs can easily correlate to RNG games). They can also be outstanding backgammon players. While not too susceptible to compulsive gambling, Defenders should pay attention to their perfectionism trait that can sometimes lead them one step way too much. It is believed that Halle Barry, Beyoncé, George Marshall, Mother Theresa, Tiger Woods, Agatha Christie, and Selena Gomes are ISFJs.

ESTJ (The Executive): Calculated Gamblers

Executives are individuals with high morality capable to clearly distinguish right from wrong, embrace the high value of honesty, dignity, and dedication. They believe in the rule of law, earned authority, and despise laziness and cheating. Representing eleven 11% percent of all population, ESTJs stick to principles, verifiable facts, and their ability to analyze all details of the plan at hand before making the final move. Those character traits probably make them least interested in gambling.

The only driver they may have in games of chance is their perpetual desire to win.

In order to do so, they would probably shun baccarat and roulette (too reliant on luck) and lean towards poker and blackjack. On the other hand, when convinced that the odds are in their favor, they could make a significant stake (thus, sports betting is not out of the picture). Having in mind ESTJs need for social interactions they would probably be a bit more interested in land-based casinos, though live dealer in online games may sufficiently compensate when necessary. It is assumed that John D. Rockefeller, Frank Sinatra, Douglas McArthur, Michelle Obama, Ivanka Trump, Megyn Kelly, and Uma Thurman are ESTJs.

ESFJ (The Consul): Practical Gamblers

Consuls, making up for 12% of the population, excels in any kind of representation. Consequently, they are very popular persons. ESFJs revel in the spotlight, when they can set the tone, and lead from the front. They are quite concerned about their appearance, authority, and social status while they cherish altruistic traits and take their responsibilities seriously at the same time. Usually a role model and conflict-averse individuals, they can sometimes be hurt when their ideas are rejected (facing occasional sensitivity issues). In gambling, ESFJs strive for games that offer the highest level of control they so keenly exercise.

They would probably be a bit more interested in brick and mortar casinos than in online gambling, enjoying in luxury of roulette or excitement of craps (with low-stakes bets, of course) or in poker with bit higher bets (since it allows them to lead the game the way they like). When gambling ESFJs should be conscious of their need to control the situation which might not be the case in games of chance. Bill Clinton, Jenifer Lopez, Eva Longoria, Elton John, William McKinley, and Larry King are believed to be ESFJs.

ISTP (The Virtuoso): Spontaneous Gamblers

Constituting for 5% of the population, Virtuosos are the epitome of explorers possessing rationalism, curiosity, and inner drive to build useful things just. They revel in troubleshooting, assembling and disassembling things, just as they enjoy in sharing their knowledge and experience with others. Having mechanical minds, they can be enigmatic: friendly but private, calm though spontaneous, curious yet unfocused. All in all — a challenge to predict as their realism, emotions, and sense of fairness intersect. To no surprise, Virtuosos like to gamble and it comes naturally to them.

While land-based casinos may appear slightly more enticing to ISTPs than iGaming virtual spaces, they would probably make for good poker and blackjack players, or any game that provides for the strategic display of their mindset (it would be interesting to observe ISTPs in the role of baccarat whale, indeed). Advanced betting or backgammon might also be interesting options.

In gambling, Virtuosos should…

…be aware of their need to make a reasonable profit out of their activities. Clint Eastwood, Scarlett Johansson, Bruce Lee, Ernest Hemingway, Vladimir Putin, the Dalai Lama, Melania Trump, Miles Davis, Shaquille O’Neal are presumably ISTPs.

ISFP (The Adventurer): Competitive Gamblers

Probably most artistic of all MBTI types, Adventurers like to push the conventional limits and to upset traditional expectations — a lot. They tend to live in their inner, colorful, and sensual worlds inspired by ideas, people, and concepts. They love to experiment with perspectives. Most of all, they irresistibly seek the thrill of riskier behaviors being sensitive to feelings of others and valuing harmony at the same time. ISFPs face criticism in a hard way and their biggest challenge is planning for the future.

All these traits make them not only susceptible to gambling but magnetically drawn to it. For Adventurers, games of chance may be a way to push their limits and challenge them. They could be equally entertained in land-based and online casinos, just as they may enjoy in the majority of all games because they see winning as a great personal accomplishment.

This is also why they should take gambling with high levels of caution, establishing limits wisely for they would probably face gambling losses with difficulty. It is believed that Lady Gaga, David Bowie, Marilyn Monroe, Rihanna, Jimi Hendrix, Yogi Berra, and Ulysses S. Grant are ISFPs.

ESTP (The Entrepreneur): Risky Gamblers

Making up 4% of the population, Entrepreneurs like to be at the center of attention with an energetic impact on immediate surroundings. Always on the move, they’re not shy to take a leap before they look, working out details as they go (these people really learn to fly on the fly). They enjoy drama, passion, and pleasure. Not so much for the emotional thrill of it but as a way to stimulate intelligent minds.

Any organized or formulated activity is a major put-down for ESTPs that see rules as something to be broken. Enjoying in probably the most perceptive mind of all MBTI types, ESTPs can notice the smallest possible changes. Not surprisingly, Entrepreneurs are drawn to gambling in any realm while game choice varies individually. Their logic would find high-risk games intellectually stimulating and might not resist them.

Therefore…

…they might opt out for baccarat, roulette, slots, or blackjack — lack of control might be too enticing — just as they might find high-stakes Texas hold’em game irresistible. All of which are the reasons why ESTPs should approach gambling very carefully. Madonna, Jack Nicholson, Harry Houdini, Donald Trump, George S. Patton, Mike Tyson, and Dale Carnegie are presumably ESTPs.

ESFP (The Entertainer): Careless Gamblers

Spontaneous, likely to be drawn to the excitement of the moment, Entertainers love the spotlight (big time), relish in socializing, have a great aesthetic sense, are curious, and enjoy in drama and passion. ESFP like to rely on luck or chance instead of trusting in analysis and repetitive responsibilities that may point out the consequences of the challenge they undertake.

Possessing great appreciation and ability to recognize value and quality, Entertainers might be susceptible to live beyond their means. Thus, they may leap into unaffordable opportunities looking for immediate pleasure. When it comes to gambling, ESFPs are likely to see it as a social opportunity or hobby making them prominent visitors at horse or greyhound races and in land-based casinos.

With such a connection to luck in their lives, it is quite possible to envision Entertainers as good baccarat or roulette players. On the other hand, they should be very careful with keeping their bankrolls in line; if not checked in time, ESFPs may be susceptible to significant losses. It is assumed that Ronald Reagan, Elvis Presley, Pink, Paul McCartney, Marc Cuban, Sir Richard Branson, Hugh Hefner, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Serena Williams are ESFPs.

Taming the Complexity

When we take all MBTI clues into consideration (not to mention psychology), it is difficult to resist the notion of the intricate nature of our brain that we know so little about even with all advances in science so far.

Multiple layers of our mind…

…are probably most expressed in perpetual need to take chances in our lives. A number of academic disciplines and humanities, not to mention news and paraphernalia, provide for a myriad of testimonials. World’s heavyweights in Ivy League education and sports betting are partnering to find out more about our gaming behavior and proper responsible approach.

All taken into consideration, a simple conclusion imposes itself.

Gambling, an activity of skill based on taking chances, is a complex phenomenon that requires legal and meaningful integration into our society.

And when we think of complexity, what better association comes to mind that the United States Navy nuclear aircraft carrier? (You can pick one of those thirty-four, and no you cannot keep the change.)

A technological marvel…

…the most advanced vehicle on the Earth (all right, ship at sea), an invention that keep getting bigger and better by each new incarnation, the ultimate statement of sophistication in utilization of the brute force, and a pinnacle of organizational and procedural establishment that mix together nuclear energy, 70+ combat aircrafts and world oceans, the aircraft carrier is the most complex military device operating like clockworks due to one simple feature.

Overall regulation of all procedures.

That is the place where the psychology of 6,000 sailors and Marines intersect with advanced technology and weaponry in order to yield the desired outcome.

Same with gambling.

If we are to enjoy in its proper outcome, it is to be achieved in a legalized environment where it will meet with the psychology of gamblers through well-regulated, socially responsible, players’ protection oriented, and overall fairness based procedural framework of regulations founded on highly reliable and transparent industry standards enforced by regulatory bodies, casinos, and affiliates.

“No way out but through,” as Robert Frost wisely points out.

If not, if we neglect all history lessons about gambling and ourselves — particularly prohibition that always led to illegality — we just might take a huge gamble, again, in a legalization game with, dunno, seventy percent of house edge.

We’re much, much better and smarter than that. Regardless of our MBTI type.