There is a host of superstitions shared by many casino players concerning what brings good or bad luck during their play. These superstitions have developed over the years. These are not personal superstitions such as “rub Timmy’s head” before you leave for the casino but general ones that are believed in by many.
Here are some:
- “Never say the number that the dealer needs to make a winning hand.”
At blackjack a dealer has a six showing. He or she turns over the down card there is a 10. Now the dealer has a 16. Do not, under any circumstances, say the word “five” or that five will appear giving the dealer a winning 21. Silence is golden – and mandatory – in this situation.
- “Never say the word ‘seven’ when you are playing craps as it will bring that seven out for the players to lose.”
On the come-out roll at craps, the players betting with the shooter want the seven to show but once a point number is established the seven is the deadly number as it will lose almost all the bets on the table making the players an unhappy lot. If the death penalty were allowed at a craps game, saying the “seven” would merit it.
- “If a slot machine is being yelled at by a player try to get on that machine to play as the angry player leaves. The machine is about to be hot because the previous player has warmed the machine up.”
Many players believe that slot machines actually think in some way or form and that they, meaning the slot machines, decide when to give out the money. If the slot has been creaming a certain player, the machine now wants to reward the next player. Others believe a machine is programmed to give and to take at regular intervals.
- “A woman who has never shot the dice before, especially a young and pretty one, will have a great roll the first time she tries.”
The above is called “the Virgin Principle” and many of the older craps players are totally convinced that this is a truism. They have stories about virgin shooters who have hammered the house the first time they took those dice.
- “If the dice hit another player’s hand the seven will come up right away.”
Any interference with the dice, including throwing in late bets, will cause the seven to show its ugly face. Players can be screamed at if they dangle their arms over the table.
- “It is bad luck to ask a dealer how to play a hand at blackjack or Pai Gow Poker.”
The belief is that dealers have been trained by the house to give the wrong advice or that they are just unlucky and should be ignored.
- “If you tip a dealer when you are losing you will continue to lose.”
Like likes like here. The universe makes an assumption that losing brings out the generosity in the players so those players will continue to lose so that they will give tips.
- “Do not play roulette because when you add up the numbers they come out as 666, which is the number of the ‘beast’ or Satan.”
This superstition is based on the fact that the numbers do add up to 666. It doesn’t seem to have influenced many roulette players over the centuries but if you are a believer in the Book of Revelation in the New Testament this might give you pause.
- “Never count your money, be it winnings or losses, while you are playing as this will automatically and immediately give you a bad losing streak.”
Maybe the casinos brought this superstition to light so losers and winners just keep on playing.
All the best in and out of the casinos!
Visit Frank’s web site at www.frankscoblete.com
