Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: Evidence from Blackjack Tables

34 Pages Posted: 19 May 2009 Last revised: 13 Nov 2022

See all articles by Bruce I. Carlin

Bruce I. Carlin

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - Anderson School of Management

David T. Robinson

Fuqua School of Business, Duke University; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative

Date Written: May 2009

Abstract

Psychologists study regret primarily by measuring subjects' attitudes in laboratory experiments. This does not shed light on how expected regret affects economic actions in market settings. To address this, we use proprietary data from a blackjack table in Las Vegas to analyze how expected regret affects peoples''decisions during gambles. Even among a group of people who choose to participate in a risk-taking activity, we find strong evidence of an economically significant omission bias: players incur substantial losses by playing too conservatively. This behavior is prevalent even among large stakes gamblers, and becomes more severe following previous aggressive play, suggesting a rebound effect after aggressive play.

Suggested Citation

Carlin, Bruce I. and Robinson, David T., Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: Evidence from Blackjack Tables (May 2009). NBER Working Paper No. w14955, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1405963

Bruce I. Carlin (Contact Author)

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - Anderson School of Management ( email )

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David T. Robinson

Fuqua School of Business, Duke University ( email )

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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )

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Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative ( email )

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