Superstition can play a significant role in people’s lives. Especially among athletes and gamblers, superstition is quite common. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the superstitions surrounding casinos! Are you superstitious and do you do certain things or avoid them to help Lady Luck?
In a gambling game, you don’t have control. It’s logical because you can’t influence the eventual outcome.
Humans want to have control over everything. This applies even when a game is being played. But because gambling is a game full of uncertainty, people start making up things to gain control over the outcome of the game.
Gamblers then start looking for ways to control the unpredictable, and that’s when superstition comes into play. Superstition gives people the feeling that they have a certain influence on the game’s outcome, but in practice, superstition is complete nonsense when it comes to the result. At least it gives the player some hope, which is worth something.
People are naturally inclined to look for patterns, and in gambling, this can lead to the belief that certain actions or objects bring good luck or bad luck.
There is no evidence that superstition makes a difference, but it gives casino players something to hold on to. Let’s take a look at the superstitions in casinos and what is believed to bring both good luck and bad luck.
Unlucky Number 13
You have good luck, but also bad luck! The unlucky number 13 plays a significant role and has meaning in different cultures.
There are many players in the casino (and also in daily life) who do everything they can to avoid the number 13. Friday the 13th is therefore not a good day for these gamblers to visit the casino.
In the casinos of the gambling city Las Vegas, the number has also been taken into account. Staying on the 13th floor is not an option because it doesn’t exist.
If you feel sorry for the number 13, there’s no need. Number 13 is actually a lucky number in some Asian countries. At least someone bets on the number 13.
Another well-known Asian lucky number is 8. The number frequently appears in the titles of various gambling games aimed at Asian gamblers.
In Canada, most gamblers play with their own lucky number, for example, their birthday or a number they simply have a soft spot for. The most popular lucky number for Dutch people is the number 7.
No $50 Bets in the United States
In casinos in the United States, it’s immediately noticeable that no player carries a $50 bill. The number 50 is considered an absolute unlucky number and must be avoided.
According to some superstitious casino players, a curse rests on the 50. Players who count money at the table, according to these players, can also expect an unlucky playing time in the casino.
Don’t Do It: Crossing Your Legs
Think carefully about how you sit, and don’t dare cross your legs. Crossing your legs would ‘cross’ your luck.
Wild Animals Bring Bad Luck
Asian players are generally very superstitious. This was also evident at the grand opening of the MGM casino in Las Vegas, USA.
It was noticeable that there were no Asian guests present in the casino on the opening day. Eventually, it turned out to be related to some statues at the entrance.
The wild animals were believed to bring bad luck. The MGM Grand decided to take drastic measures and remove the statues almost immediately. This decision paid off for the casino, as it is now one of the most popular casinos in Las Vegas.
Blowing on the Dice
The story goes that some gamblers dip one side of the dice in a kind of glue, and this glue is activated by wetting it. That’s the reason people blow on the dice.
Wearing Red Clothes
In China, red is the color of wealth and luck. Some gamblers believe that you should not buy the red garment yourself but that someone else must give it to you as a gift.
Walking Away from the Gaming Table
If you’ve ever been to a physical casino, you may have noticed that some players walk away from the gaming table. They don’t do this out of disinterest but because of a superstition.
The players walk away as a round of roulette is nearing its end and return later to see the outcome. Standing still brings bad luck, so the gamblers look away.
Rituals that Bring Luck
Some people are really convinced that superstition increases their chances of winning and therefore perform certain rituals to bring luck to their side. And it can be anything; you can’t imagine how strange it can get.
Tapping on the screen of the slot machine before a spin starts, drinking or taking a sip before starting a new game, or making the sign of the cross. You also often see people fidgeting with the casino chips in their hands. You can’t really know what rituals people have because many thoughts are not visible. And maybe that’s a good thing.
Counting Money at the Table
Counting your money at the table? Don’t do it. Why not? Counting money is considered inappropriate behavior. Additionally, it’s believed to bring bad luck because counting is seen as greedy, and it will work against you. Just be patient and count your money after you’ve left the casino.
Forbidden: Singing and Whistling
Don’t walk around singing or whistling when you’re gambling somewhere and there are others nearby. This is believed to bring bad luck because it would anger the gambling gods. Well, that’s not a difficult tip to follow, is it? A piece of cake.
Lucky Charms
There are various items that people around the world feel, or don’t feel, bring luck. Well-known items are ladybugs, four-leaf clovers, horseshoes, and rabbit’s feet. Certain stones are also believed to bring luck.
Are you superstitious? That’s not a problem at all. If you think it helps you in a certain way, there’s nothing wrong with that.