Uncovering The Reality Behind Gambling Superstitions

game thumb 1

Gambling is an exciting experience—you never know when luck might be on your side. But many gamblers have their own superstitions that they believe will help them win—no wonder these superstitions have been popular for centuries. Whether you believe in them or not, it sure doesn’t hurt to use a bit of positive imagery when playing the odds! From the classic “lucky charms” to elaborate rituals and attire, we’ll reveal some interesting gambling superstitions that may impact your luck and wins down the road – so read on if you want to learn more!

A Touch Upon Gambling Superstitions

Gambling superstitions have been around for centuries and have deep roots in many cultures. The idea that you can influence luck through superstitious behaviour is one of the most commonly held beliefs about gambling.

Although science has never proven a causal relationship between superstitions and luck, gamblers still often abide by certain rituals or belief systems when gambling.

Most of these superstitions are harmless, yet they might affect how gamblers approach gaming and could influence their decisions to continue playing.

Common Lucky Charms Used in Gambling

Superstitions go hand in hand with “lucky charms”. Common lucky charms used in gambling have been around from ancient times to the modern day. Popular items used as lucky charms include:

  • Coins: In Chinese culture, coins are frequently used as symbols of prosperity, wealth, and good fortune. They often feature an image of a dragon or phoenix, symbolising power and strength.
  • Four-leaf clover:  It’s an Irish symbol for good luck and is thought to bring about protection from bad luck.
  • Horseshoes have long been believed to bring good luck when found and hung above doorways.
  • Rabbits’ feet are thought to bring luck in some Native American cultures.
  • Images of deities: Images of the Roman Goddess Fortuna were believed to bring success when playing games of chance in Ancient Rome.

Common Lucky Charms Used in Gambling

These lucky charms may differ across cultures, but one thing remains true – they all serve one purpose. They give you an extra edge when playing casino games by providing a sense of comfort and assurance that you will win.

Whether these objects actually work or not is still debatable but what is certain is that throughout history, people have held strong beliefs about their power over fate and fortune regarding gambling activities.

Practices that Bring Good Luck While Betting

Whether you believe in luck or not, it’s best to take a few precautions when gambling. There are many superstitious practices that people around the world use to bring good fortune while betting.

From rituals to clothing and posture, these practices may seem silly, but they have been used for centuries by gamblers looking for an edge over the house. Here are some of the most popular “rituals” gamblers worldwide use to lure fortune on their side.

Blowing the Dice

People often blow on dice in gambling as a superstitious practice to increase their chances of winning at casinos. Some see this behaviour as a way of controlling fate by either warding off bad luck or increasing the chances of a desired outcome.

Some people believe that blowing on the dice can create an optimistic “vibration” that encourages a favourable roll, while others simply do it out of habit or as part of their pre-betting ritual. Blowing on the dice has become familiar enough in gaming circles that many casinos don’t allow it for fear of players manipulating their results.

This practice became popular in 1955 after the iconic movie Guys and Dolls was available everywhere. In this movie, Marlon Brando pleads with the proverbial Lady Luck not to “wander all over the room and blow on some other guy’s dice”. This is how the belief that blowing on your dice brings good fortune became famous. It is now a common belief that you can even see it in a family game such as Monopoly.

Blowing the Dice

Like any other casino ritual, blowing dice, too, has a myth behind it. Some say that dishonest gamblers used to coat one side of their dice with a substance that activates with moisture.

Thus, blowing on the dice before rolling would then ensure it lands as wanted. Experts prove this practice is impossible since the sticky substance may collect debris on the dice or even stick it to the table.

So, blowing the dice is just a practice that brings a sense of comfort even to the modern player!

Wearing Red & Lucky Clothes

A charm that’s hard to hide is a specific item that we believe it’s enchanted. Imagine this: An old gentleman playing his favourite blackjack game with an old baseball cap he used to wear in high school. That’s a lucky charm you can’t hide. You can only imagine what players can actually wear when they try online casinos at home.

Although clothes can play a significant role in how you approach a game, there is one specific colour all superstitious players might wear. Red is the colour of luck in gambling, and it came to all of us from the East. In Chinese culture, red is a significant colour that represents wealth, luck, and joy, among other things.

In the West, everyone associated red with life and passion. That’s why many believe that wearing red can bring you luck to improve your skills.

While wearing the colour red may be a general practice, wearing lucky clothes seems more personal, and it’s usually linked to individual experience. For example, in the 2005 World Series of Poker runner-up, Steve Dannenmann wore the same shirt and cap every day during the seven-day tournament, which brought him success.

Whether you choose your lucky socks or wear a red shirt, choose whatever makes you confident of your skills to win your favourite game.

Sitting or Standing While Playing

Posture is an important element for players who are superstitious. A few of them believe that changing their posture while placing bets may result in a change of luck. While some choose to stand, others opt to sit, yet neither changes their posture the entire game. For example, if you’re standing while placing bets on the best slots sites, you should never sit down until your last spin.

On the other hand, if you sit at a poker table, you should only get up at the end of the game. You can’t even stretch your legs. More extreme players take this superstition to the next level and will keep standing or sitting for the entire casino visit. If you are one of those players, make sure you wear proper clothing and comfortable shoes for a long night of betting!

Crossing Your Fingers & Other Rituals

Most gamblers have their own ways of attracting good fortune on their side, and they practice this ritual before placing their bets. Some of the most popular rituals are crossing fingers, knocking on wood, stacking chips in a certain way, and verbally calling out numbers or cards.

There are also players who believe that kissing their partner will bring them good fortune, so ensure you bring your match with you when you visit the most trusted online casinos UK.

If You’re Unlucky in Love, You’re Lucky in Gambling

Over the years, gamblers adopted this superstition to work both ways. This implies that you’re either good at gambling or are unsuccessful in love or vice versa.

Its origins come from Germany, where a famous saying states: “unlucky in cards, lucky in love.”

In this situation, the saying stands as a consolation for those who lost their money in a nasty game session. This superstition still exists nowadays, but it adapted to modern times. Today it sounds more like you have to choose between gambling and love.

That’s why some believe gambling is a way to mend a broken heart, yet gaming history has plenty of success stories with gamblers who had luck in both love and gambling. We can prove this by giving some clear examples.

One of the wealthiest professional gamblers is the math genius Bill Benter who’s got a loving wife and a child.

Another iconic player is Edward E. Thorp— the father of card counting. He won hundreds of millions in gambling and was happily married for 50 years.

The Two Types of Lucky Numbers

When it comes to lucky numbers, many people associate them with roulette and blackjack. Yet, you can also find this relevant to other table games, like poker and baccarat.

While gamblers consider the number 7 the luckiest in western countries, in China, numerology is more complex than just a number. In Chinese culture, 3, 6, and 9 are fortunate but only when mixed with the number 8.

Take Oranges with You when Playing

This strange superstition comes from China, and it includes oranges. Chinese people believe oranges boast in yang energy and provide luck. For that reason, Chinese gamblers carry oranges whenever they are betting. They will have higher chances of winning big-time money with oranges in their pockets.

Take Oranges with You when Playing

Cursing the Roulette Ball

Another unusual superstition is cursing the roulette ball before it stops spinning. This practice went viral online and made gamblers curse at the ball, hoping it would land on their bet number.

Even though it’s viral online, you shouldn’t try it in a land-based casino as it might get you some strange glances. If you want to test this superstition, go for online casinos with roulette and try your best.

Casino Superstitions that Bring Bad Luck

Casino superstitions that bring bad luck are just as common as those that bring good fortune. Many of these bad luck charms are similar to those associated with good luck, but their connotations and symbolism can be quite different. Have a look at what you shouldn’t do if you want to win at betting.

Crossing Your Legs

While you cross your fingers for good luck, you should never cross your legs when placing bets. Many believe that when you cross your legs, you also “cross out” your good luck. Even though it sounds very strange, many gamblers will respect this myth and will not cross their legs at the tables.

Unfortunate Numbers

In the West, one of the biggest gambling superstitions regards the number 13. For that reason, there are casinos in Las Vegas without a 13th floor, and many hotels have no rooms with numbers higher than 13.

In gambling, many players associate this number with bad luck, and many won’t play anything on Friday the 13th.

Despite all of these negative superstitions surrounding the number 13, you can still find the number 13 on the roulette wheel, and statistically, you have the same probability of winning with it as with any other number.

If in western countries, 13 is bad luck, in China, however, 4 is the unluckiest number because when pronounced in Chinese, it sounds like the word ‘death’.

Using a Casino’s Front Entrance

Although it sounds irrational, entering through the casino’s front door is a superstition that scares a lot of gamblers. Therefore it has avid followers. They believe it is unfortunate to enter the casino this way as they might encounter players leaving with empty pockets (likely because of a losing streak). Thus, their bad luck will stick with the newcomers.

This gambling superstition was really an issue, as gamblers had a problem with the entrance of the famous MGM Grand casino. Their entrance was in the shape of a big, roaring lion’s mouth, making players think of the saying ‘Walking into the lion’s mouth‘ which means ‘being eaten alive’.

Several players, especially Chinese gamblers, considered the depiction as bad luck. Thus, in 1998, they replaced it with a regular door.

Counting Money at the Table

Among popular gambling superstitions is that one that claims you should never count your money or chips at the table. Gamblers actually respect what Kenny Rogers sang in his famous song “The Gambler”: “you never count your money when you’re sitting at the table. There’ll be time enough for counting when the dealing’s done”. These lyrics encourage gamblers to have reasonable behaviour.

Gambling ethics regard counting your money before the game is over, or even immediately after, as quite impolite. It is a rude gesture that you do in front of fellow gamblers who weren’t so lucky, and it also contributes to the assumption that pride comes before a fall.

So, it’s best to wait until you’re outside the casino, perhaps at home or hotel room, and only then count your winnings.

Stay Away from $50 Bills

We had all heard stories and seen movies about the days in which Las Vegas was ruled by the American mafia. The city was notorious for its shady underworld of criminal activity, where the mob ran the show, and its influence was far-reaching.

Legend states that Nevada’s deserts were the final resting place of many gangsters’ victims. Before burying the unfortunate soul, they will often place a $50 note in their jacket as an act of superstition, with some believing that it was an offering of good luck to their spirit.

For that reason, gamblers, especially American ones, refuse to use or even receive $50 bills when playing free casino slots. They consider it bad luck.

Having Itchy Hands

There are several superstitions attached to the fact that you have itchy hands. Depending on where you are from, this act may mean that you will win money, while in another place, you’re about to lose some.

While in ancient African and Native American folklore, itchy hands mean good luck, in Eastern European Countries, it’s the opposite.

Lending Money to Another Gambler

Some say that lending money to a fellow player will bring bad luck. Many gamblers believe this is an act of tempting faith, as it involves offering cash without expecting to win it back.

On a statistical level, this superstition has its roots in the premise that when a player lends money to someone else to gamble with, the risk of not getting it back increases significantly. In other words, lending money to another person for gambling purposes is thought to be bad luck, as the potential for losing money increases exponentially.

Books & Bad Luck

Another superstition from traditional Chinese culture regards people reading books. They say that you should not gamble if there’s someone next to you reading a book. If you do play, you are probably going to lose. They explain the loss through Chinese words as the words for “lose” (shīqù) and “book” (shū) are quite similar.

Avoid Dogs Before The Game

The superstition of gambling near a dog being bad luck has been around for centuries, with varying interpretations across different cultures. In Chinese folklore, dogs embody Yin and Yang, with the canine’s presence bringing balance and good luck to a game or bet. Similarly, ancient Greek mythology suggests that dogs have been associated with luck since the time of the gods.

Conversely, in some parts of Europe, some believe that having a dog near a game could bring bad luck, as they were seen to be harbingers of misfortune. As with all superstitions, there is no scientific evidence to support either belief, and it is likely just another element in gambling folklore.

Whistling When Playing

Many consider bad luck if you whistle while playing at the casino. This superstition goes back to the old legends when sailors couldn’t whistle on a ship because they believed it encouraged the winds to blow harder.

Aside from this old legend, whistling while playing is a rude act as you can disturb your fellow players, and, let’s face it, it can also be very annoying.

Conclusion

Good luck rituals and practices differ according to culture, ethnic background, and age group. While some have a solid foundation, most superstitions have their roots in folklore, and they add a bit of excitement and a lot of fun to gambling.

Whenever you’re playing casino games and wear your old baseball cap or lucky red T-shirt—remember that gambling is all about having fun. Money will come to you if you’re fortunate enough. Thus, always enjoy your time while playing by keeping a safe game and respecting your own boundaries.

Like our page and get special bonuses

    Report Issue

    Submit