As far as today's society can remember, superstitious beliefs have been around since time immemorial. While this may be just a figure of speech, people have been believing in this or that, since the dawning of man, and as evidence from the archeological diggings of icons, pottery, hairlooms, and whatever ancient artifacts that go a lot way older then the Old Testament, it's evident that people believed in what can only be described as superstition today.

Many of such beliefs have been passed down from generation to generation through millennia, and today, they may still be recognized in beliefs like, don't pass under a ladder, a black cat cutting across your way is bad luck, breaking a mirror is bad luck, and anything that can gloom your day should be avoided at all costs.

Since gamers of luck and chance rely on luck and chance, it is but natural to fear anything and everything that would interfere with luck and chance. So, naturally, if they observe something that could possibly be the culprit of their bad or good luck, they develop superstitions about it.

Avoiding the number 13, or having dogs and pets around while you play, are a couple that come to mind. There are more, like wearing the same unwashed clothing that brought you good luck, twisting your fingers, or shouting Boom Baba Boom! as you throw the dice, but then, let's just leave it at that.

Superstition Goes High-Tech

Stating that Superstition goes high-tech doesn't mean watching Superstition 1, 2, and 3 on Blu-Ray, HDMI, or the highest movie resolution one can get. It's just the old games of chance beliefs being applied to the recent digital gaming versions of the old casino games. There will always be players online who will be holding the tail of their cat in one hand and the PC mouse in the other, and hoping that the random number generator will go their way, so to speak. Here are some of these beliefs.

Stay away from the number 13, it looks like an idiot with 2 beards sideways. Don't count your wins early; it's bad luck to celebrate something that isn't over yet. Think positively when you play; thinking of bad luck will make it come true. Always use your lucky charm like your unwashed "good luck socks" for the last 10 years, or your red dragon fang, the lucky shell you picked up from Bondi Beach, and whatever it is you're hiding, wherever it is. Lucky number is 7, lucky color is red, use them. Finally, there are some who practice "Good Luck" rituals like doing the "Moon Dance" during a full moon to ensure their gaming prowess, whether online or on the casino table itself.

Risk Perception and Decision-Making

In a game of chance, or even running a business, there will always be risk and the possibility of failure. A decision can always go sideways, backways, or myways, and taking the risk is surely something that will definitely happen. Superstition, or following it, will affect the way a player makes a decision and takes risks, as the basis of the move will be influenced by the belief itself.

Superstition provides a supernatural wall to lean on. Practicing the belief that wearing lucky charms or invoking through rituals provides a sort of comfort faith against the stress of risk, anxiety, and chance.

The effect of having a belief to rely on makes many people bold to take risks, and in games of chance, this is a very good thing for the dealer or the house, unless the dude really gets lucky and the roof is on fire.

Having a belief by your side provides a sense of control. The dragon fang in your pocket, which has given you luck many, many times, will surely work again. The nth time's the charm! With both the fang and the 10-year-old pair of socks, no one can stand in your way.

Superstition can influence a person's beliefs even if there is no basis for such beliefs. It can affect their judgment at all levels and cause them to behave in many irrational ways. From the impractical to the downright ridiculous, players have taken such great lengths to cater to their beliefs that they believe will bring luck and success to them.

Unfortunately, we are all superstitious in one way or another. Even the staunchest critic and unbeliever will subconsciously avoid walking below a ladder, or avoiding the scrawny black cat coming down the road. Superstition is also subconscious, and so, it will surely influence perception and decision-making.

Influence of Game Design

Whether we believe it or not, the design of the game and how it is played can be influenced by superstition as well. Take the Roulette wheel, if the player is so superstitious, one would probably expect him to bet on only the red numbers on the wheel. Likewise, so with cards where the player seems to be betting heavily on the 7 of each suit for the winning Blackjack combination.

The gameplay and the design of the game will be no exception to a superstitious gamer, and even the way the dice should be handled and thrown to the position on the gaming table will be some of the things a superstitious person will likely take into account. Online, counting to 3 before clicking the button (for the dice roll) may also be perceived as such, and for some people, the charms and the rituals are not enough. The game itself should be handled carefully in line with the principles of the belief in order to win.

What The Doc Says

Psychologists have studied the effects of superstition on human behavior not only in games of chance but in almost all aspects of life. There have been many studies, papers, observations, scientific experiments, and treatments for severe cases of cognitive delusions brought about by superstitious beliefs.

In summary, psychological studies regarding these beliefs have resulted in specific key observations and characteristics. Superstitious beliefs provide or result in "Cognitive Distortion" where a person maintains a faulty belief about how the world works. An "Illusion of Control" where the person believes that one can influence events by practicing these superstitious beliefs.

"Emotional Regulation" acts as a shield against anxiety, risk, and the failure of taking a chance. Then, the perpetuation and addiction to behaviors of chance, which is heightened and supported by the superstitious beliefs the person is fully convinced of as the source of good luck and winning.

A Survey of Casino-Based Superstitions

Finally, through keen observations, player interviews, and gaming interactions, a list of common casino-based superstitions has been and continues to be practiced over the years.

First are the charms. Many players maintain the belief that certain items and symbols have luck welded to them. Lucky "something" like an item, person, or mascots are very popular among gamers. One would wonder why the dude always has his brother-in-law close by whenever he throws the dice, or that weird voodoo doll around his neck. Number and color preferences play a big part with these gamers as well.

Second, the magic rituals. Crossing one's fingers, timing one's play like during a specific time or day of the month (Jason always wins on the 13th of Friday), and certain repetitive behaviors like betting in a particular way or clapping 3 times after every score, well, things like that.

Finally, the belief in beliefs for some people is really strong. "The Winning Streak", "The Gambler's Fallacy", "The Unshakeable Fate", and "The Control Of The Random" are but a few of the common belief practices, that though many would never dare to admit, are common practices in every game of chance. Like it or not, Superstition has its uses and is here to stay.

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