The Most Popular Casino Superstitions

Let’s take a closer look at the gambling superstitions believed to bring bad luck. To this day, these beliefs continue to influence how some players approach their games and rituals at the casino.

1. Playing With $50 Bills

This American superstition originates from mob days when Las Vegas mobsters roamed the city. It’s rumoured that their victims were buried in the desert with $50 bills stuffed into their pockets. Superstitious gamblers also refer to these $50 bills as ‘frogs’. Many refuse payouts in $50 bills and consider it bad luck.

2. Crossing Legs

Many gamblers believe that crossing your legs at the table will cancel out any good luck headed your way. Avoid sitting cross-legged at the table, which can be particularly difficult when the nerves start. This practice is used by many superstitious gamblers, whether in an online or in a land-based casino.

3. Walking Through the Front Door

Some superstitious gamblers will avoid walking through the front door of the casino. They’ll opt for a side or back entrance instead. It stems back from the Las Vegas MGM Grand Casino entrance in 1995. A giant lion surrounded the door, leading into a lion’s belly. Many superstitious gamblers saw this as a bad omen and avoided entering the casino. Since then, the casino has been renovated and now has a statue of a golden lion at the entrance. There are superstitious gamblers who still use the side door just in case.

4. Counting Money at the Table

Besides the obvious safety issues, counting money at the table is something superstitious gamblers will never do. Some claim it’s about luck, while others see it as being rude and unprofessional. A general rule of thumb is to avoid counting money at the table.

5. Lending money to other players

Lending money to another player is considered to be a big no-no. Aside from the potential risk of never seeing that money again, what if that bettor wins using your money? A superstitious gambler would see this as giving away good luck.

6. Unlucky Numbers

Unlucky numbers vary in different parts of the world. For example, the number 4 in China and Japan is unfortunate because the word for number 4, in Chinese, sounds similar to the word for death. Numbers representing luckiness or unluckiness can depend on what part of the world you are from. In Western culture, the unlucky number 13 dates back to Biblical times, to The Last Supper. There were 13 people at The Last Supper, and Judas, the man who betrayed Jesus, is considered the 13th disciple.

7. Itchy Hands

In Slavic nations, the itchy hand superstition varies slightly. The basic rule is never to gamble when your right palm is itchy. The symbolism of an itchy right palm is that you will be giving your money away. On the reverse side of this itchy myth is that if your left hand is itchy, you are about to receive payment. If you have itchy hands, try to pay attention to which hand it is and try to remember the difference between the left and the right itches.

8. Whistling while playing

In gambling, whistling is considered a bad omen. Some players believe it attracts bad luck or negative energy, potentially leading to losses. This casino superstition is prevalent in Russian culture, where it’s thought that whistling can literally "whistle away" your money. While this belief has no scientific basis, many players avoid whistling at the tables to prevent tempting their fate. Whether a superstitious habit or simply a precaution, it's a tradition that has persisted among gamblers for years.

Good luck gambling superstitions are popular among players and come from various cultures. Here, we have summarized the most common ones:

9. Lucky Red

The Chinese believe that red is the colour of prosperity. Therefore, it brings good luck to a gambler who carries or wears a red item while gambling. This could be anything, from a pair of underwear to a piece of ruby jewellery.

Some gamblers wear red clothing or carry a red object with them to boost their chances of winning. Some casinos even have designated rooms that are red from the floor to the ceiling, giving a sense of luck as you enter them.

10. Use Your Lucky Charms

People from many cultures associate luck with specific items and use them as lucky charms. There are many ways this applies to gambling superstitions. Good luck charms can be anything. The most popular objects are the four-leaf clover or a rabbit’s foot. However, a charm can also be an article of clothing, such as a hat or a shirt.

11. Lucky Numbers

Many gamblers have a lucky and an unlucky number for whatever personal reason they might have. The universal lucky number, however, is 7, while 13 is considered a bad luck symbol. However, in Asia, 13 is regarded as one of the many good luck symbols. The lucky number 7 is known as a symbol of prosperity worldwide. Hence, the number seven is used in many casino slot games and is considered a casino superstition that brings in good fortune.

12. Lucky in Gambling, Unlucky in Love

This superstition goes both ways – so if you’re unlucky in your love life, you might get lucky in casino games. The main reason is that we can’t be fortunate in all aspects of life. There was a study carried out at the University of Michigan in the United States of America that showed gamblers who are single take more substantial risks when gambling. Accordingly, someone in a relationship will always play it safer and, as a result, will lose less. There is no definitive answer to this one. It comes down to what you choose to believe.

13. Blowing On the Dice

In games like craps, players might blow on the dice or touch them before rolling, thinking it will influence the outcome in their favor. Some believe this casino superstition originated from a movie made in 1955, but more likely, it evolved from ancient gambling games where blowing on the dice was one of the good luck rituals.

14. Don’t Look Away? Or Vice Versa?

Many superstitious players believe that looking away or even walking away from the game is necessary to get winning luck. Others continuously monitor the ongoing game in fear that they will somehow interfere with it or bring bad luck. This superstition is on the verge of good or bad luck, so you can freely choose what to believe.

15. Pregnancy Brings Good Luck

Originating in Asia, it’s believed that pregnant women carry good fortune in their belly during pregnancy. It’s also thought that she has an extra set of eyes to observe her surroundings, which is always helpful while gambling. In some parts of Asia, rubbing a pregnant woman's belly will bring good luck.

16. Feeding Baby Ghost

Feeding a baby ghost is an old Chinese casino superstition. It’s believed that a baby ghost lives behind the gambling table and that giving the ghost sugar as an offering before you gamble will provide you with good luck. Just be sure not to annoy the dealer by throwing sugar all over their table.

This article has covered the most common casino superstitions. However, there are many more different, weird, and culturally rich gambling superstitions. Many gamblers you encounter will have their own personalized beliefs and lucky rituals regarding superstitions while gambling. Whichever of these superstitions you follow, if any, we hope you succeed in your gambling endeavors and have fun. If you're ready to try your luck, check out our best online casino reviews and find the perfect platform to play. Who knows, you might even discover your lucky symbol along the way!