The Real Science Why You’re Hooked on Pickleball

Inside the brain chemistry that keeps you coming back for more

If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t stop thinking about pickleball—or why “just one game” turns into two hours at your local court—it’s not just because the game is fun. It’s because pickleball is, in many ways, a behavioral jackpot machine.

According to author Michael Easter, the reason we get hooked on activities like social media, gambling, and yes, pickleball, comes down to a psychological phenomenon called the Scarcity Loop. It’s a reward system hardwired into our brains, and pickleball activates it with surprising precision.

Here’s how the loop works—and how pickleball checks every box.

1. Opportunity

Every rally, every point, every game offers the chance to succeed. You might hit a perfect drop shot, win a hard-fought rally, or finally beat that smug guy in the Dri-FIT shirt. There’s always something to go for, and every time you step on the court, the opportunity is right there—just one shot away.

You’re not guaranteed to win. In fact, the very real possibility of failure makes the wins feel sweeter. That’s what keeps you coming back. It’s the “maybe this time” effect. And it never really goes away.

2. Unpredictable Rewards

You might play a game where everything clicks—your shots land, your partner’s in sync, and you walk off the court high on endorphins. Or you might net three serves, whiff an overhead, and leave muttering about your paddle.

You don’t know which version of yourself is going to show up. Or your partner. Or your opponents. The outcomes are unpredictable, but the hope of hitting that perfect, satisfying groove keeps you spinning the metaphorical wheel.

In psychology, this is called variable reward—and it’s the same thing that makes slot machines addictive. Not knowing when the next reward is coming makes the pursuit even more engaging.

3. Quick Repeatability

How long’s a game to 11? Maybe 15 minutes. And when it ends? You just jump into the next one. No reset period. No downtime. Just spin again. Even the next point is a new opportunity to get that reward.

In pickleball terms: “One more game?” becomes three. Then four. Because unlike golf, or even tennis, the effort-to-reward cycle is fast and constant. That’s the loop—and it’s why people end up playing for hours, forgetting they had errands to run, texts to return, or knees to ice.

Why This Matters

The Scarcity Loop hijacks ancient brain wiring that once helped us survive. Our ancestors searched uncertainly for food, never knowing when they’d strike gold—a berry bush, a rabbit, a river full of fish. Now that same wiring keeps us chasing likes, rewards, and yes, the next perfect pickleball point.

But here's the good news: unlike scrolling Instagram or pulling a slot handle, pickleball is a healthy habit. It’s movement. It’s community. It’s laughter. It just also happens to be deeply addictive—for reasons that are older than the game itself.

So if you’re hooked? There’s science behind it. You’re not just playing a game—you’re running a beautifully designed behavioral loop. And odds are, you’ll be back tomorrow to spin again.