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The Strangest Gambling Superstitions From Around the World
Gambling has always been a game of chance, but that hasn’t stopped players from looking for ways to shift the odds in their favour.
Many gamblers follow personal rituals, while others adhere to deeply rooted cultural superstitions.
From lucky charms to specific actions and numbers to avoid, superstitions influence gambling traditions across the globe.
Here, we dive in & explore some of the most fascinating gambling beliefs from different countries, including an unusual Italian ritual that may surprise you.
🇨🇳 Red is Lucky in China, but the Number Four is Feared
In Chinese culture, the colour red is strongly associated with prosperity and good fortune. Many gamblers wear red clothing or accessories when visiting a casino, believing it will increase their chances of winning. Some even go as far as wearing red underwear for extra luck!
On the flip side, the number four is considered extremely unlucky because its pronunciation in Mandarin and Cantonese is similar to the word for “death.” Studies have shown that in some casinos catering to Chinese clientele, tables numbered four are either removed entirely or replaced with another number.
🇺🇸 Americans Blow on Dice but Avoid $50 Bills
One of the most well-known gambling rituals in the United States is blowing on dice before rolling them. Popularised by Hollywood films, this act is believed to bring good fortune at the craps table.
Another long-standing superstition among American gamblers is avoiding $50 bills. Many believe these notes bring bad luck, a belief that stems from an old mob-related myth.
According to gambling folklore, gangsters in the early 20th century would place $50 bills in the pockets of their victims.
While there is no statistical evidence to support this superstition, many gamblers still refuse to accept or use these notes in casinos.
🇯🇵 Japanese Gamblers Steer Clear of Leg Crossing and Money Counting
In Japan, there are two major gambling superstitions. The first is that crossing one’s legs while gambling “crosses out” good luck. The second is counting money while playing, which is thought to invite bad fortune.
Interestingly, a survey of Japanese casino visitors found that over 60% admitted to following at least one gambling superstition, even if they weren’t entirely convinced by it.
🇷🇺 Russian Players Sit in Silence Before Gambling
In Russia, many gamblers follow a pre-game ritual where they sit in silence for a few moments before heading to the casino. This practice is believed to bring good luck and help gamblers focus on their upcoming bets.
Conversely, whistling indoors, especially in a casino, is seen as bad luck, as it is thought to “whistle away” one’s fortune. This belief is so widespread that some Russian casinos have even put up signs discouraging whistling inside.
🇮🇹 Italians Believe Touching a Hunchback Brings Luck
Perhaps the strangest superstition on this list, Italian gamblers believe that touching a hunchback brings good fortune. This belief extends beyond gambling and into everyday life, where some Italians seek out hunchbacked individuals before making important decisions.
In addition, many Italian gamblers carry a cornicello—a small, horn-shaped amulet—believed to ward off bad luck and negative energy.
🇬🇧 British Players Keep Lucky Coins and Avoid New Shoes
In the UK, many gamblers swear by the power of a lucky coin, which they carry in their pocket to attract fortune. Another common belief is that wearing brand-new shoes to a casino invites bad luck, potentially leading to losing streaks.
Interestingly, a survey found that around 35% of British gamblers admitted to carrying a lucky charm or following a specific ritual when playing.
The Bottom Line
Whether these beliefs hold any real power is debatable, but for many players, superstitions are an essential part of the gambling experience. Rituals can provide a sense of control, comfort, and confidence, even in games that are entirely based on chance.
However, it’s important to remember that gambling outcomes are completely random. While lucky charms and rituals might add to the fun, they do not influence the results. In reality, the odds of winning are determined by the house edge and random number generators, not by personal superstitions.
If you choose to gamble, always do so responsibly and remember that wins can never be predicted or guaranteed.
Gambling has always been a game of chance, but that hasn’t stopped players from looking for ways to shift the odds in their favour.
Many gamblers follow personal rituals, while others adhere to deeply rooted cultural superstitions.
From lucky charms to specific actions and numbers to avoid, superstitions influence gambling traditions across the globe.
Here, we dive in & explore some of the most fascinating gambling beliefs from different countries, including an unusual Italian ritual that may surprise you.
🇨🇳 Red is Lucky in China, but the Number Four is Feared
In Chinese culture, the colour red is strongly associated with prosperity and good fortune. Many gamblers wear red clothing or accessories when visiting a casino, believing it will increase their chances of winning. Some even go as far as wearing red underwear for extra luck!
On the flip side, the number four is considered extremely unlucky because its pronunciation in Mandarin and Cantonese is similar to the word for “death.” Studies have shown that in some casinos catering to Chinese clientele, tables numbered four are either removed entirely or replaced with another number.
🇺🇸 Americans Blow on Dice but Avoid $50 Bills
One of the most well-known gambling rituals in the United States is blowing on dice before rolling them. Popularised by Hollywood films, this act is believed to bring good fortune at the craps table.
Another long-standing superstition among American gamblers is avoiding $50 bills. Many believe these notes bring bad luck, a belief that stems from an old mob-related myth.
According to gambling folklore, gangsters in the early 20th century would place $50 bills in the pockets of their victims.
While there is no statistical evidence to support this superstition, many gamblers still refuse to accept or use these notes in casinos.
🇯🇵 Japanese Gamblers Steer Clear of Leg Crossing and Money Counting
In Japan, there are two major gambling superstitions. The first is that crossing one’s legs while gambling “crosses out” good luck. The second is counting money while playing, which is thought to invite bad fortune.
Interestingly, a survey of Japanese casino visitors found that over 60% admitted to following at least one gambling superstition, even if they weren’t entirely convinced by it.
🇷🇺 Russian Players Sit in Silence Before Gambling
In Russia, many gamblers follow a pre-game ritual where they sit in silence for a few moments before heading to the casino. This practice is believed to bring good luck and help gamblers focus on their upcoming bets.
Conversely, whistling indoors, especially in a casino, is seen as bad luck, as it is thought to “whistle away” one’s fortune. This belief is so widespread that some Russian casinos have even put up signs discouraging whistling inside.
🇮🇹 Italians Believe Touching a Hunchback Brings Luck
Perhaps the strangest superstition on this list, Italian gamblers believe that touching a hunchback brings good fortune. This belief extends beyond gambling and into everyday life, where some Italians seek out hunchbacked individuals before making important decisions.
In addition, many Italian gamblers carry a cornicello—a small, horn-shaped amulet—believed to ward off bad luck and negative energy.
🇬🇧 British Players Keep Lucky Coins and Avoid New Shoes
In the UK, many gamblers swear by the power of a lucky coin, which they carry in their pocket to attract fortune. Another common belief is that wearing brand-new shoes to a casino invites bad luck, potentially leading to losing streaks.
Interestingly, a survey found that around 35% of British gamblers admitted to carrying a lucky charm or following a specific ritual when playing.
The Bottom Line
Whether these beliefs hold any real power is debatable, but for many players, superstitions are an essential part of the gambling experience. Rituals can provide a sense of control, comfort, and confidence, even in games that are entirely based on chance.
However, it’s important to remember that gambling outcomes are completely random. While lucky charms and rituals might add to the fun, they do not influence the results. In reality, the odds of winning are determined by the house edge and random number generators, not by personal superstitions.
If you choose to gamble, always do so responsibly and remember that wins can never be predicted or guaranteed.
