Understanding Casino Superstitions
Gamblers are thought to be some of the most superstitious people in existence. This is because they believe in many myths and superstitions. Casino superstitions can take different forms. For instance, some are attached to physical objects and routines, while others involve specific numbers and colours.
As weird as some of these beliefs may be, they have a root. Most of them stem from the history of gambling, and others stem from cultivated practices that have prompted wins in the past. In this post, we will review some of these superstitions and determine if they have any truth or science backing them up.
Pros & Cons of Casino Superstitions
- Believing in superstitions can promote confidence among casino players.
- They can make gambling more fun.
- Some of them are based on science, and they can help promote winning.
- They give players something to look forward to.
- Most of them have no truth behind them.
- They may affect the overall gambling experience negatively when taken too seriously.
Good Luck Casino Superstitions
Crossing Fingers and Other Rituals
This is perhaps one of the most popular casino superstitions in the gambling world. Superstitious Gamblers believe that if you cross your fingers at a gambling table, it brings you good luck. They believe that this works no matter the platform you are playing with, even in online gambling.
Other rituals like cleaning your hands or wearing your favorite jersey also count as superstitions for good luck. The rituals may differ from one player to the next.
Sitting or Standing While Gambling
Sitting or standing while gambling is believed to bring good luck when gambling. While in true sense your physical demeanor has no role to play when it comes to determining whether you win or lose, it can mean a lot to some players psychologically.
Some people also believe how you sit or stand will affect your chances of winning.
Blowing on Dice
Blowing on the dice is a good luck superstition especially attached to the game of craps and other dice games. It is believed to be good luck to blow on the dice before serving it when playing dice games.
This gambling superstition became popular after the Movie Guys and Dolls when Marlon Brandon made the suggestion. However, this practice has been discouraged recently, especially after the Covid pandemic, because of the health risks.
Wearing Red at the Casino
In the gambling world, red is considered a lucky color. This is especially true in Asian countries, where brides win red on their wedding days. Chinese culture believes that red symbolizes wealth and prosperity.
Gamblers believe that wearing red increases their chances of winning. Roulette players also believe that red numbers are luckier and more likely to win when they bet more money on them.
Lucky Charms for Gambling
Gamblers are also known for their good luck charms for gambling. This is especially the case when playing poker. Lucky charms may include a favourite t-shirt, cap, card protector or anything associated with a big win in the past.
A ring, jewelry, or something belonging to a family member or a successful gambler can also serve as a lucky charm. Several popular and successful gamblers hold these superstitions. Even some sports players believe in good luck charms.
Unlucky in Love, Lucky in Gambling
There is a common proverb that is used in the gambling space. It states that “if you are lucky in gambling, then you will be a loser in love.” This proverb has German origins.
Some gamblers hold the belief that to be a good gambler, you have to sacrifice personal relationships or be really bad at relationships or have a low emotional quotient. This superstition does not have any science backing it up, apart from the German saying.
Bad Luck Casino Superstitions
Lending Money to Another Player
Some gamblers believe that if you want to bring yourself back luck while gambling, you should lend money to another player. They believe that lending money to other players will automatically reduce your chances of winning.
While lending money is not a financially wise decision, especially if it is going to be spent on gambling, it has no real correlation with winning or losing.
Crossing Your Legs
Crossing your legs while gambling is believed to have the opposite effect to crossing your fingers. While crossing your fingers is believed to bring good luck, crossing your legs is believed to have the opposite effect. Some gamblers believe that if you cross your legs while at a gambling table, it will bring bad luck not only to you but the entire table.
Counting Money at the Table
This is one of the most popular superstitions in the gambling world. It was started by early road gamblers. They believed that they should not count their chips until the end of a game. This was because of the nature of road gambling. However, this superstition has moved to casinos where people believe that counting chips before the end of a game, especially where a big win is at stake, is bad luck.
Using the Casino Front Entrance
This is a very popular superstition, especially among Asian gamblers. They believe that using the front entrance at a casino will trigger bad luck. Instead, they believe that the rear entrance is luckier. This superstition stems from the 1990s when MGM Grand casino, one of the most famous land-based casinos and their online counterparts, had a lion’s mouth entrance that was believed to be a symbol of bad luck.
Unlucky Numbers 13 and 4
In the gambling world, some numbers are considered to be a sign of bad luck. This especially applies to the numbers 13 and 4. In Western cultures 13 is considered an unlucky number. Some people claim that this comes from the story of the last supper where Jesus sat with 12 disciples (total-13) at the table and would later get betrayed and killed. However, there is no science that backs up this belief. On the other hand, number 7 is seen as a lucky number.
Itchy Hands
Some gamblers, especially European ones, believe that having itchy hands while gambling is a sign of bad luck. It is believed that the itchy hands are a sign that the body is nervous about the session’s outcome, which is mostly because of an impending loss.
However, itchy hands are considered a good omen in some countries like Bulgaria.
Using $50 Bills
Some gamblers consider receiving and using $50 bills at a Las Vegas casino an unlucky practice. This superstition stems from the fact that $50 bills are usually the most commonly counterfeited in the US and also breaking them is usually very hand at stores. Some people also got this belief from the US mafia history where the mob would bury their victims with $50 bills in their pockets in the desserts of Nevada. This caused a whole negative view of the $50 bill in the gambling world.
Whistling While Playing
This is quite an odd belief but a lot of people believe in it. It is believed that whistling while playing casino games will trigger bad luck. It comes from the Old British Sailor culture where whistling was believed to cause heavy winds, which were unlucky. However, whistling can also be pretty annoying to other players at a gamblers table or on the slot machine.
Is there a Strategy Behind Casino Superstitions
The casino superstitions explained above and more are not really based on strategy. They are primarily rooted in cultural beliefs or associated with past big wins. There is no specific strategy attached to them. Which is why most, if not all of them are simply beliefs and have no truth attached to them.
Popular Games and Their Casino Superstitions
Blackjack
Most of the number-related superstitions are attached to this game. Personal good luck rituals like crossing fingers before a play also commonly apply to this game. Using or wearing good luck charms also apply here.
Roulette
In roulette, it is believed that betting on a lucky number like 7 and 8 can bring good luck, while betting on an unlucky number like 13 and 4 can have opposite effects. Roulette players also believe that the red numbers are luckier than the black ones. There are also superstitions around numbers like birthday dates and anniversaries, as they are considered to be lucky or unlucky.
Texas Holdem Poker
In this game, there are some beliefs, like if you wear lucky colours or have a lucky charm with you, you have a better chance of winning. Poker players also hold beliefs regarding posture. They believe that gambling while sitting up straight or standing tall increases your chances of winning as you feel more stable and confident.
FAQ about Casino Superstitions
What are some common superstitions that bring bad luck in casinos?
Players believe that if you cross your legs while gambling, it brings about bad luck. Other bad luck superstitions include gambling with $50 bills, lending money to another gambler, unlucky numbers like 13 and 4, and entering a casino from the front entrance.
Why do some gamblers avoid using the casino’s front entrance?
Many gamblers avoid using the front entrance of a casino is can trigger bad luck. Instead, they believe that the rear entrance is a better or luckier option. This is mainly a belief in the Asian culture. Asians believe that when you use the front entrance, people will rub on you (because of the crowds), which can bring bad luck.
Can physical actions at the gambling table affect your luck?
Physical actions do not really have an effect on your luck at a gambling table. However, they can affect your confidence and also your strategy. For instance, sitting up right can make you feel more confident. Also, your posture can help you avoid others seeing your cards or reading your tell signs.
What are some popular good-luck superstitions in casinos?
A popular one is that if you blow on your dice, it brings good luck. Other ones are lucky numbers like 7 and 8, wearing red (which is a lucky color), playing while sitting or standing, bringing a lucky charm like an item associated with a previous big win, and personal good luck rituals like chanting a mantra.
How do superstitions affect online casino gambling?
Superstitions affect your confidence when gambling at an online casino. They also affect the choices a player makes, affecting the overall gaming strategy applied by players at an online casino. So, too much belief in superstitions can impact a player’s overall gambling experience.