Superstition in gambling

Gambling players are very superstitious people. This is understandable, because a lot really does depend on regular luck, or as gamblers themselves say, fortune. It’s not enough to know the “winning” combinations or to consider yourself a true professional, you should never forget Lady Luck.

Here are the most famous superstitions among gamblers: those that attract success, and those that, accordingly, repel it.

Superstitions about numbers

Among gamblers around the world, a common superstition that 13 is unlucky number. A great many people believe this, even outside of casinos. There is even a term in psychology called triskaidekaphobia to explain the fear of the number.

Casino players will always try to avoid it. Not everybody bets on the number 13 at the roulette table. In many casinos, hotels, the number 13 is excluded from the bill altogether. For example, in floor numbering, the number 12 will immediately be followed by 14.

But just as there are some unlucky numbers, there are some very winnable ones, such as the number 7. Seven is the favourite number of almost all gambling players. This is understandable, because many numerologists indeed consider seven to be the number of lucky people, which prophesies only favorable events. Many believe that it is what brings good luck in games. That is why, in most slot machines, the jackpot is awarded to 7 of the same symbols.

As for “lucky” and “unlucky” numbers, it is only worth knowing that they differ dramatically from culture to culture. So a lucky number in one culture can be unlucky in another. Therefore, this superstition is very ambiguous and peculiar to most players.

Superstitions about colours

Just like numbers, colours in gambling can also be lucky and unlucky.

• Black is an unlucky colour and symbol of bad luck for many gamblers. He is associated with something bad, many gamblers draw a parallel with death or a major setback.
• Red, on the other hand, is highly regarded among gamblers, especially in China. It is in this country, red is considered a symbol of luck, because many Chinese gamblers choose clothes for gambling establishments, give preference to the red colour, as if showing luck in such a way, who should hit the jackpot today.

Mascots

Mascots are very common amongst gambling players. It is the talisman that can be different for everyone, unlike other common stereotypical good luck symbols. For some, it could be a lucky garment, a piece of jewellery, an amulet or even a good luck mate. There are also a few common talismans: a horseshoe, a four-leaf clover (a popular symbol of good luck in Ireland), and a rabbit’s foot (which brings happiness and prosperity to the owner).

If the superstitions listed above are familiar to many from everyday life, or have simply heard of them before, here are a few more equally interesting superstitions just among gamblers.

Pre-game rituals

In an effort to curry favour with fortune, gamblers follow certain rules that are known to bring them good fortune. These can be all sorts of pre-game actions. For example:

• cross your fingers (for luck),
• blow on the dice,
• knocking on wood,
• saying out loud a number,
• putting the chips in a certain order.

Counting your “jackpot” in a timely manner

Many poker and other casino players prefer not to count the amount of money or chips in play. It’s not entirely clear what exactly this has to do with, but nevertheless, this superstition is very popular.

Superstitions about entering the establishment

Another interesting superstition is associated with the front door. One superstition is that it is better not to enter the casino through the main entrance. The belief is that it wards off luck because it was through the door that people who were unlucky would leave and so their bad luck could spread to others.

Therefore, casino owners should be very careful about how they decorate the entrances to their establishments. There was one interesting case in China where the MGM Grand casino had to change its decorations due to a lot of unhappy customers.

Lucky $50

There is a superstition popular among American gamblers regarding the $50 note. The roots of this belief go back to the days when the mobsters in Las Vegas filed this note to their victims. Therefore, to this day, Americans are wary of notes in this denomination.