The Superstitious Gamblers Halloween Handbook

We all know that our luck at the slot machines or the chance of winning the lottery is based on the ineffable whims of the RNG gods. However, as Halloween draws nearer and the veil between the natural and spiritual realms is stretched thin it would bode us well to take note of the more mystical side of life.

Fingers Crossed

Join us as we delve into 5 superstitions from the around the world and learn a little more about their origins and what they mean to online gambling fans everywhere.

✓Infinitely Wealthy Number

The Chinese are a very spiritually minded people with the magic of numbers, animals and spirits painting a rich tapestry throughout their history. The most powerful number in their arsenal is the number 8.

This is based on two things. Firstly, the Mandarin word for the number “8” sounds like their word for wealth. Secondly, when turned on its side the number looks like an infinity symbol. The combination has resulted in the number being aligned with the concept of infinite wealth.

This belief is so ingrained in their culture that the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics was held on August 8th, 2008 – and the event started promptly at 8:08 pm!

This would make 888 Casino the ideal lucky casino for a superstitious player to visit during the Chinese New Year.

✓Unlucky Roman Numerals

If you’re gambling with an Italian friend be sure to avoid the number 17. The number is still considered extremely unlucky in Italy due it being written as XVII in Roman numerals. The same letters appear in the term XIVI which means “my life is over” speaking of one’s death.

The number has the same power in Italy that the number 13 has in other parts of Western culture with Italian hotels excluding 17th floors and sports stars bemoaning their chances of success when playing a match on the seventeenth of any month.

✓A Heavenly Keepsake

The humble four-leaf clover is one of the world’s most recognisable good luck symbols. One apocryphal tale tells of Eve, heartbroken at being evicted from Eden, plucking a four-leaf clover on her way out as a holy keepsake.

In Celtic culture, the four-leaf clover retained its otherworldly properties allowing druidic priests and children to see through the veil and spot fairies and other tricksters when carried. Which is why they’re found in slots like Leprechaun Goes To Hell.

In modern superstitions, each leaf of the clover was said to offer the finder an ever-increasing series of blessings. The first leaf held hope, the second stood for faith, the third ensured true love and finally, the fourth leaf added this already fortuitous life the promise of good luck.

✓Knock, Knock. Anyone Home?

Having a bad run at the tables? Have you tried knocking on the nearest piece of wood? The superstition of knocking on wood does not only refer to protection from evil, but it’s origins also speak of actively seeking good fortune.

The superstition stems from the pagan belief that good spirits imbued trees. A person in need of good fortune or assistance with a task they would knock on a tree to summon its good spirit and request their guidance, protection and blessing.

Just be careful not to knock on the table during a hand of blackjack as you could be dealt a card you don’t want… but perhaps you’d get the card you need?

✓Animal Totems To The Rescue

One the things we see often when looking at good luck charms are animal totems. This is the cultural belief that animals can imbue aspects of their nature to people if a representation of that animal is kept close.

The lucky rabbit foot is rooted in the belief that the plucky little animal is extremely fertile, a trait often paralleled with wealth and good fortune. While it’s not that lucky for the rabbit the belief is still popular today as is seen in Red Tiger’s Well of Wishes slot.

The lucky horseshoe, however, is based on the belief that witches, and by extension the evil spirits they brought with them, were afraid of the majestic animals. It is also widely held that spirits and fae can be mortally wounded by iron. Combine these two beliefs and the horseshoe becomes a powerful weapon against evil and a symbol of good luck!

You Make Your Own Luck!

Where there is no way to outplay a slot machine, no formula for turning the odds in your favour no-one can truly deny the power of belief. While these and many other symbols of good luck are present on the reels of slot machines and video poker games remember to always gamble smart. Don’t chase your losses and definitely never spend more than what you budgeted for.