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335,00 kr

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