Casino Expert reveals 4 superstitions that actually work and 4 that will haunt you

With Halloween here, superstitions are at the fore, influencing the way we think about luck and fortune. Many of these beliefs may seem irrational, but they still influence our daily lives.

While some can boost our confidence and promote a sense of community, others can lead to false expectations and unnecessary anxiety. In this piece, we’ll explore the beliefs that lift us up and the ones we can ignore, helping you enjoy the magic of this season and beyond.

Here are 4 superstitions that work:

1. Holiday Superstitions

Event superstitions add a touch of magic to celebrations, from blowing out birthday candles to preventing the groom from seeing the bride. Halloween, with its rich symbolism—such as Jack-O’-Lanterns guiding lost souls, spiders representing the spirits of the dead, and offerings for wandering souls—stands out as particularly significant. Such traditions provide a structured way to face fears and cope with uncertainty, helping to reduce stress. Furthermore, their shared nature promotes community and belonging, strengthening social ties.

2. Lucky rituals

Personal rituals provide grounding and control, helping to manage nerves and improve focus. This phenomenon, known as superstitious learning, shows how our brains look for patterns between actions and outcomes.

For example, Serena Williams ties her shoes a certain way before matches, Jennifer Aniston boards planes with her right foot first, and Quentin Tarantino uses specific pens for writing. These strange rituals may seem random, but they can help improve focus and performance.

more lucky bracelets Sara Free | Pexels

3. Lucky charms

Wearing a lucky charm—whether it’s a coin, a treasured photograph, or a special piece of jewelry—can provides a sense of comfort and safety. These items function as “transitional objects,” connecting our inner emotions to the outer world, just as a child’s favorite toy provides reassurance in the absence of a parent.

For example, Victoria Beckham believes in the power of crystals for good luck, while Heidi Klum wears milk teeth for good luck. Although uncommon, believing in a charm can trigger the placebo effect, leading to increased confidence and better performance.

4. Dream symbols

Dreams are often seen as messages from the mind, using symbols to express our hidden feelings. For example, water in a dream can represent emotions, while teeth falling out can reflect stress or change. Thinking about these symbols helps people understand their inner feelings, providing insight into their mental state and encouraging personal growth.

Here are 4 superstitions that could be holding you back:

1. Black cats

Black cats often get a bad rap, especially around Halloween, when they are associated with witches in disguise or seen as harbingers of doom. Because of this unfair stereotype, black cats are admitted to shelters and rescues more than any other color, according to the ASPCA. Time to flip the script! Welsh folklore suggests that black cats bring luck to a house and maybe even predict the weather! So the next time you see a black cat, consider it a lucky charm rather than a bad omen.

2. Beginner’s luck

“Beginner’s luck” refers to the idea that novices experience unexpected streaks of success, sometimes even defeating seasoned experts. It sounds charming and can hold its own during the first attempt at sports or gambling, where newcomers often feel less pressure. The problem begins when this belief leads to expectations of success without immediate effort. Beginners may make impulsive bets or bet more than they can afford, believing that their initial luck will continue. Spoiler alert: practice makes perfect!

woman sitting at a casino table throwing casino chips Pavel Danilyuk | Pexels

3. Bad luck comes in threes

The saying that bad luck comes in threes can turn anyone into a drama queen! When people start counting their misfortunes, it can feel like they are stuck in an endless cycle of death. Instead of enjoying life’s ups and downs, they focus on each little injury as part of an unlucky trilogy. This mindset can lead to more stress and anxiety, making it difficult to appreciate the good things when they come!

4. Hot streak

It’s the belief that a streak of repeated success will continue just because it happens. For example, in tennis, if a player wins three games in a row, fans may believe that the player is more likely to win the next one as well.

Or when a player wins several times, they may start betting more, feeling that their luck will continue. This mentality often leads to chasing wins and losses, creating intense highs and lows. Over time, this cycle can become addictive as players get stuck trying to get their “winning attachment” back.

Jamie Wall is a casino analyst at Gambling and a former game developer at NetEnt with extensive experience in game mechanics and casino operations. He holds a BA in Game Theory from the University of Manchester and an MA in Casino Game Development from the London School of Economics.