We all have our own private little traditions and quirks that make us feel better and give us the confidence to take on the day or a task. Gamblers are no different. So often, you’ll see players at casino table games performing some odd ritual or placing a lucky charm next to them in the hope that these gestures will improve their chances of winning.
Here are some of the most common ways in which gamblers try to win jackpot slots, roulette, poker and other casino games using rituals and lucky charms.
Gambler Superstitions: Rituals and Beliefs
It doesn’t matter whether you’re playing in-person or online casino games; most players will perform an odd ritual or observe a peculiar belief in the hope of improving their luck.
Avoiding the Number 13
Triskaidekaphobia, which is the fear of the number 13, is actually quite common in many cultures. Because of this fear, some gamblers tend to steer clear of betting on or sitting at table number 13 since they believe it to be unlucky. It’s pretty funny, but even hotels and casinos sometimes go along with this superstition by skipping the 13th floor altogether or labeling it differently to accommodate those who believe in the unluckiness of the number.
Blowing on Dice
Blowing on the dice before rolling them is a very common ritual. People believe that by blowing on the dice, they’re somehow getting rid of any bad vibes or negative energy surrounding them.
Red Clothing
In certain cultures, people believe that wearing red clothes while gambling will bring them good luck. In these cultures, red is considered a color of prosperity and luck, which many folk think will help ward off any negative energy that may affect their gambling fortunes.
Crossing Fingers
Just as many people cross their fingers as a universal gesture of hope, you may see some gamblers crossing their fingers while they’re placing their bets or anxiously waiting for the outcome. They believe that, somehow, this simple gesture will sway the odds in their favor.
Avoiding the Main Entrance
A quirky superstition among many gamblers is the belief that using the main entrance of a casino brings bad luck. Many go out of their way to avoid it. Instead, they’ll choose to enter through one of the side entrances or take alternative routes in order to increase their chances of winning.
Tapping or Touching Objects
Another common pre-game ritual is tapping or touching. Some players tap the table or touch the slot machine in a peculiar way, believing that by doing this, they’re somehow activating positive energy or summoning good luck. It’s like a secret code they follow to increase their chances of winning.
Avoiding Specific Colors or Numbers
Different cultures have different beliefs about unlucky colors and numbers. For example, some folks steer clear of the color black or the number 4 because they associate them with bad luck.
Stacking Chips in a Specific Way
When playing games such as poker or blackjack, some gamblers have their own special way of stacking their chips. They arrange them in a specific pattern or order because they truly believe it can bring them good luck or attract positive outcomes. It’s like they’re creating their own little fortune formula with those chip stacks.
Avoiding Money-Related Talk
Some players actually avoid talking about money or mentioning specific amounts before or while they’re gambling. It appears they believe that discussing money before or during the game can bring bad luck and lead to losses. It’s almost as if they’ve got this unspoken rule to keep the money talk hush-hush, all in the hope of keeping their luck intact.
Gambler Superstitions: Lucky Charms
Rabbit’s Foot
Yep, gamblers often carry a rabbit’s foot as a lucky charm. They believe it brings them good fortune and increases their chances of winning.
Four-Leaf Clover
Finding a four-leaf clover is considered a rare and lucky occurrence. Many gamblers keep one with them, either in its original form or as a symbol to attract good luck.
Horseshoe
A horseshoe is a classic lucky charm. Gamblers often hang it above their gambling area or keep a small one in their pocket, believing it will bring them good luck and protect them from bad vibes.
Lucky Coin
Some gamblers have a specific coin they consider lucky. They carry it with them or use it during their gambling sessions, believing it will bring them good fortune.
Personal Jewelry
Yet other gamblers have personal pieces of jewelry that they consider lucky. It could be a special ring, necklace or bracelet that holds sentimental value and acts as a talisman for good luck.
Lucky Dice
Gamblers might have a special set of dice that they believe are luckier than others. These dice might have unique markings or be associated with positive outcomes from past gambling experiences.
Statue or Figurine
Some gamblers keep a small statue or figurine on their gambling table or in their pockets. It could be an object representing a deity or a symbol of luck in their culture.
Gemstones
Gemstones like jade, tiger’s eye or amethyst are believed to bring luck and positive energy. Gamblers may carry these stones or wear them as jewelry during their gambling sessions.
Lucky Socks or Clothing
Believe it or not, some gamblers have specific socks or articles of clothing they consider lucky. Wearing these items while gambling gives them a sense of confidence and good fortune.
Personalized Items
Other gamblers create their own unique lucky charm. It could be a photo of a loved one, a handwritten note with positive affirmations or any item that holds personal significance and brings them luck.
The Gambler’s Fallacy
Gambler’s fallacy is an interesting belief that doesn’t quite fit into the superstition category but isn’t really based on fact or science, either. It is a cognitive bias that tricks people into thinking that past random events can somehow affect future random events.
Basically, it’s when someone believes that if something has happened more frequently than expected in the past, it’s less likely to happen again in the future or the other way around.
Here’s an example to make it easier to understand. Imagine you’re playing a game of roulette and the ball has landed on black for the last 10 spins. A person who falls for the gambler’s fallacy may start thinking that red is now somehow “due” to show up because there have been so many black outcomes in a row.
It seems logical, but the truth is that each spin of the roulette wheel is completely independent. The odds of getting red or black remain the same no matter what has happened before.
The fallacy can work in reverse, too. If someone flips a coin and it lands on heads five times consecutively, they might start believing that tails are more likely to come up on the next flip.
Again, the chances of getting heads or tails on each individual flip are always 50/50, no matter what came before. Understanding this can help you avoid falling prey to your own cognitive bias and chase losses.
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