Superstitions in the Gambling World
To attract Fortune, gamblers go for various, sometimes comical tricks. The list of lucky lures includes rituals, dances, certain gestures, amulets and figurines.
Chinese, Macao, baccarat
Local players prefer to bend the cards as if by chance, so that the next game is played with a new deck. The Chinese believe this increases the chance of winning. To lure a piece of success from a lucky player, others place side bets on the player.
Baccarat has a special feeling amongst the Chinese people. The number 9 is one of the luckiest in their culture, symbolising immortality. Ah, the card game requires a set of 9 points to win. There is a ritual whereby the dealt card is squeezed between the fingers and slowly raised to eye level. Once it’s in sight, it’s quickly laid on the table with its face down.
Doyle Brunson’s Casper
Author of the poker book ‘The Super System’, star player Doyle Brunson has never resorted to dubious tricks in order to win. But one day he got a lighter with the Ghostbusters logo on it. Doyle named the little ghost Casper and jokingly asked him to make his wishes come true, and he took it and made the owner’s dreams come true. Word of the friendly ghost quickly spread and Brunson made good money, renting out the little friend to superstitious punters.
Freespins and crickets
Video slot enthusiasts also believe in omens. Some try to conjure up favours for the virtual machine by talking to it. Others re-insert a credit card if they lose, posing as a new visitor.
In Las Vegas casinos, a man can be found gambling with his partner, a large teddy bear.
At Sands Casino, a player has been spotted displaying a bottle of live cricket on a slot machine during freespins.
John Grochowski’s winner’s dance
The author of books on online gambling mentioned his brother in one of his works. Before sitting down at the gaming table, the man dances right in the middle of the room, energising himself to win.
Cigarette and orange
Another celebrated poker player, Sammy Farh, used an unlit cigarette as his mascot.
Poker player Johnny Chen once inhaled the scent of an orange during a game and immediately won. Ever since, he has worn orange along with brightly colored citrus fruits at all of his live tournaments.
Folk omens
Dice
A few manipulations should be done before the game starts:
- Take a bath with an infusion of herbs and rub essential oils into your skin.
- Clothe yourself in lucky clothes or wear lucky jewellery.
- Eat a meal of dishes resembling the attributes of a casino.
- Don’t loan money the day before the game.
Behaviour at the gaming table:
- Take the winner’s chair.
- Sit on a handkerchief.
- Rub a chip on your clothes before placing a bet.
- Ask a stranger to blow on the dice.
- Touch a large note from time to time.
It is not uncommon for men to choose beautiful women to be their companions, because there is a belief that they bring good luck if they stand behind the player without touching him.