The Things We Do For Luck
Before Gambling
Some players will try to attract good fortune before they leave for the casino. A number of players told me that they have lucky clothing or jewelry that they will always wear to the casino.
Debbie told me about a lucky meal she prepares. “Several times when we went on gambling trips, we had a ranch style casserole on the night before and we won pretty big on the trip. So now my husband insists that on the night before every trip we have to have this dish. “
Many players like to check their horoscopes or biorhythms before they start their trip. I don’t know about you but I have never see a horoscope that read, “Today is your unlucky day. Stay away from the casino!”
Lucky Charms
Carrying a lucky charm is a popular ritual that players will do to try to bring about good fortune. Some of them will display them out in the open while others will keep the secretly hidden away. Many Poker players like to use their lucky charms as card protectors. They think this will disguise the real purpose for having them at the table.
Wishniks and Trolls seem to be the lucky charm of choice among the Bingo crowd. Walk through any Bingo hall and you will see more different hair colors than you will find in a box of Crayola crayons. Some of these strange colors are even on the dolls.
Teddy Bears and other stuffed animals can sometimes be seen on the casino floor. A couple was seen playing the slots with a bear dressed in a Chicago Cubs uniform. Since the Cubs have not won the World Series since 1908 I wonder why they thought this bear would be lucky.
One of the strangest sights was a man at a Las Vegas casino who played slots with a large Teddy bear, about the size of a four-year old child, on his knee facing the machine. He talked to the bear in a very animated way between spins and even used its paw to hit the spin button. I don’t know who was the luckier of the two.
Perhaps the most common ritual performed is tossing money into any fountain or body of water in or near the casino. These “Wishing Wells” are quite lucky for the casinos who net thousands of dollars each year from players who think that throwing away money will bring them good luck as long as they make a wish while they do it.
Apparently some players believe in the power of prayer as they play. Numerous times I have seen players holding Rosary Beads and Crosses in one hand as they pushed the spin button with the other. Some even pray out loud. There was a guy at a Midwest riverboat who prayed between holding cards and hitting the deal button on every hand of video poker hat he played. It was not just a quick bow of the head but an earnest plea with an evangelical tone complete with promises to quit if his prayer was answered. He kept playing so it might not have been working for him.
Make Your Own Luck
There is no proof that charms, clothes, spouses or any other rituals you perform can change your luck at the casino. However I do know that people who feel lucky and happy seem to have a much more enjoyable time in whatever activity they participate in. If carrying a lucky charm or performing a little ritual while you play makes you feel good, then go right ahead as long as it does not infringe on your fellow players.