Tag Archives: Superstitions

5 Odd Chinese Superstitions Which May Just Bring You Luck

Chinese superstitions can be prevalent within Asian gambling culture. For example, baccarat players in Macau believe that even the manner in which cards are squeezed or creased can determine the outcome of a game. Practice these 5 Chinese gaming rituals and who knows? You too may hit a winning streak!

Mind Your Numbers

In Chinese culture, certain numbers are considered to be lucky depending on their similarity to words that sound prosperous.

The number 8 is therefore a very lucky number, as it sounds much like the Cantonese word for “prosper” or “wealth.”

To create fortuitous outcomes, Chinese gamblers often combine the number 8 with other lucky numbers such as 3, 6 and 9.

Wear Red

The Chinese believe the colour red to be a symbol of life, joy and prosperity.

Therefore, wearing red at a casino (and in particular red undergarments), is thought to appease the gods and bring players good luck.

Side Entrances

Many Chinese gamblers think it bad luck to enter a casino through the main entrance. There are two reasons for this.

Firstly, it is thought that these doors have been cursed by Feng Shui masters.

Secondly, they believe that if you happen to rub shoulders with a loser on his way out, his bad luck may be transferred to you.

Trends

Chinese players will often obsessively looks for patterns or trends in a game.

If a player wins 3 times in a row, they will bet on the player winning a fourth time.

If a player starts to lose, they will bet against him to improve their chances.

Players can often be seen studying other tables looking for these patterns.

Wash Your Hands

If you hit an unlucky streak, the Chinese believe it is best to go and wash your hands and so wash away your bad luck. Some even carry their own lucky soaps for this very purpose.

Conversely, it is considered bad luck to wash your hands whilst winning, as this will wash away good luck.

These superstitions may seem odd to some, but with millions to be won at casinos, they may be worth some serious consideration.

New Year Superstitions

The new year is a time for partying, celebration and the inevitable resolutions. It’s also a time for superstitions. According to traditional beliefs, what happens on New Year’s Day influences what happens during the rest of the year, so if you’ve already had bad luck this year, not abiding by these superstitions may just be the reason.

A traditional English belief holds that you should never take anything out of the house, pay a bill or lend anything on the first day of the new year — if you do, you’ll find your wealth leaving your house all year. The house was believed to be vulnerable to the mischief of evil spirits at this important time.

Similarly, in Scotland, the first person to step through the door (the “first foot”) should bring gifts such as cash, food and whisky; if he does, the house will have a plentiful supply of these things throughout the coming year.

 

Behind Lucky Numbers

For some, luck resides in a rabbit’s paw, a certain shirt or a ritual blow on the dice. Others find luck in numbers themselves. What makes a number ‘lucky’ depends on many influences, some personal, some cultural.

In China, the number eight is particularly revered because, when spoken, it rhymes with the word for ‘wealth’. In Christian societies three is popular, reflecting the Trinity but also the ‘three wishes’ of folklore. Seven has enchanted the European mind for centuries – notes in an octave, colours of the rainbow, the seven classical planets, and days of the week. The number seven crops up throughout the Old Testament, too.

Prime numbers, which can only be divided by themselves and one, are popular choices for lucky numbers, with one exception: thirteen.

Perhaps the luckiest numbers though, are those that show odds in your favour.