Well, the time of superstitions is here, with Halloween just around the corner. Therefore, there is no reason why we cannot discuss the superstitions involved in gambling. For the skeptics and cynics who believe that gambling has only a few funny quirks when it comes to superstitions; you will be surprised with the number of oddities you will find on this list. Not to say that there is anything wrong with the superstitions, but it will definitely amaze you that people willingly bet large amounts of money after performing these superstitious rituals, thinking that doing these little things will improve their chances. Here are examples of the perfect mental placebos.
The Superstitions
Now when it comes to ordinary life we all have some or the other lucky charm, amulets or some other quirk that we utilize to make sure that lady luck and father fate always smile benignly on us. We all carry these around wherever we go. In addition, if we are gambling, which is a situation where luck and fate play important roles then of course, being superstitious is pardonable. So there is no point of discussing superstitious things such as rabbit’s foot, bear claws, horseshoes and lucky underwear as these are used in all spheres of life other than gambling.
But apart from these there are certain superstitions that are especially applicable for gambling.
The first in the list and by far the most extensively used is spitting on cards before playing them. This superstition is a counterpart of blowing on the dice. Now we all have played or rolled dice at one time or the other. This means that all of us know that the practice of blowing on the dice before rolling them supposedly brings good luck. Children learn it early in life, from the time they start playing snakes and ladders. People say that in the same way that blowing on dice brings you good luck, spitting on cards does the same. Yes spitting on cards, it is advisable that you try this at one of you house card parties to see whether it really is worth earning the ire of some casino bouncers!
Another one states that sharp dressing means good luck, but wearing one dirty piece of clothing in your getup works like a talisman and keeps all evil away. Some are less odd and just simply quirks people acquire, like stacking your chips neatly or entering the casino by the back door and not the main entrance.
However, some are just too good. One says that never gamble with a dog in the room. Another even odder one says that you should not gamble at a table that has a woman on it and when she is not playing. In Vegas, this will be hard.
However, the best one is that seeing hunchbacks before gambling is good luck and seeing nuns is bad luck. How this came about to be is anyone’s guess. Speaking of guesses, what would the case be for hunchbacked nuns?