Lucky Rituals

[Bill B]

Over the years I have seen many players in the casino use some sort of ritual to help bring them luck when they play. Many players will bring a lucky charm or talisman with when they play. I have seen some slot players take out and put in their player’s card in hopes of changing their luck. One player I know always carries a small packet of salt and will sprinkle some around the machine when things are going badly. I have seen players talk to the machines, draw symbols on the screen with their fingers and drop to their knees and pray as they played.

Luck and superstition is not limited to just the slot players. It has become common place for poker players to use a lucky charm to protect their cards as they play. Many Craps players believe that if the dice go off the table they must ask for the same dice or they will seven out if they use a new one.

Do you have any lucky rituals that you use when you play? Have you seen players do anything truly bizarre while they are playing to bring them luck? If you have, please share your thoughts and stories about what you do or what you have seen others do. I think it will be interesting.

[sonntex]

I cant believe im going to give up a secret i have known for years- In 1983 i was takeing a leak at CP when a man in the second stall down said to me, do you realize your pissing in lucky Urinal Number 3, well all i could say was yea right Jack why dont you go home and sleep it off. Well GUESS WHAT, I went back to my slot machine and won 7500 bucks-went to another machine 500 bucks and then another 500 bucks. So now anytime im down on my luck i go to trusty Urinal number 3, and things really do get better.

Good tip, Scott. Will that work for Stall #3, too?:D

[sonntex]

Well, there are no URINALS in the LADIES ROOM. LOL

[sonntex]

Just tell W to use it. Its the restroom next to the Bar at the Barge-Go in take a right-go stright towards the wall-3 one from the right to left.

Got it. THANKS, I THINK.:rolleyes:

[arm53]

I always concentrated real hard, to the point of almost lost bowel control.

It never worked.

I'm glad to see there is another way! :D

[fenway68]

one non gambling ritual i have when i travel to vegas..(actually anytime i fly) ...I have to touch the outside of the airplane with my right hand as I pass thru the doorway off the jetway, one or two light slaps to be sure the plane is solid..

as for gambling..i rub the dice on the felt before i throw..that never works, but i do it...sometimes i "ask" the slots for a hit, but alas that never works either...


so..lucky urinal #3, here i come...

my dad carries a small porcelin frog from Puerto rico...sometimes he helps sitting on the VP bartop...

scott

[sonntex]

so..lucky urinal #3, here i come...



scott

LOL LOL LOL ROFL


I have to tell this one although it's not Vegas.

We go the boats in Shreveport/Bossier City quite often. Several years ago before ElDorado bought out the Hollywood Casino, there was a Triple, Double Diamond $1 machine that sat on the end right by the ladies room......
When we hit the casino floor, I always went to the restroom then straight to that machine and before my first $100 was gone I had hit something really good--sometimes a W2G.

If I went straight to the machine without making a trip to the ladies room first, I NEVER won.

So it was my RITUAL (and it became a running joke with W and me) that I had to go the restroom before playing this machine. If someone was playing it when I came in, I by passed it and the ladies room and went on somewhere else...
If no one was playing it, W guarded it while I did my ritual, then I took over and won.

TRUE STORY

Now the machine is GONE somewhere else and I can't find it.:(

[Jacqui, Duskette8]

I remember in the Frontier bingo (okay, it's a FORM of gambling ;)) some people with so many soft toys and teddy bears on their tables that they could hardly find room for their packs. I swear they could have fit so many more people in there if they had banned teddy bears and the like! Saying that, I always carry a small Buddha when in Vegas, even though bingo is the only gambling I do.

[vegaschic]

I have a lucky bracelet that I only wear in Vegas. If I play WOF and get to spin, I always touch the bracelet first. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I hope I never forget to wear the bracelet, but if I do.......hubby will just have to buy me some new jewelry!!

[tryon4]

Once we are checked in to our room we MUST driver the Strip from Excalibur to the Stratosphere. If we vary. we usually have a less than profitanle trip.
Have no idea how this started.

[cocoa6929]

I carry a small charm with buddha on it--sometimes i rub it on the machine--won $600 in Atlantic City the first day I bought it--still carry it with me but havent hit anything big (YET) ;)

[Golddigger007]

Do you have any lucky rituals that you use when you play?

I stop playing when the casino cleanup folks are around me --dusting, cleaning trash & ashtrays, vacuuming, etc. My slot machines always cool down or I earn less in my bonus rounds when these folks "linger" around me.

I wasn't a believer until I started taking these little "timing outs". My losses decreased, my winnings increased and my kidneys jumped for joy!

[Stargirl]

I always wear my Vegas trousers. They are made from Lyocel, which comes from trees, and they have two pockets below the knee area, so I keep my bankroll in one pocket (buttoned, so no pickpocketing mice have a chance) and the other pocket is for Winnings ONLY, and I never break the rule. Winnings do not go back to the casino. They go out into the world to buy "Durable goods". I wish someone would design clothing for women so we don't have to carry a purse. We just have hidden pockets full of "survival stuff". Purses are so easy to lose, and get stolen. It's hard to lose our entire selves.

[sawsman]

Stand up, and walk around your chair, clockwise, 3 times.
Works (well, some of the time).:)

[lindainwi]

I cant believe im going to give up a secret i have known for years- In 1983 i was takeing a leak at CP when a man in the second stall down said to me, do you realize your pissing in lucky Urinal Number 3, well all i could say was yea right Jack why dont you go home and sleep it off. Well GUESS WHAT, I went back to my slot machine and won 7500 bucks-went to another machine 500 bucks and then another 500 bucks. So now anytime im down on my luck i go to trusty Urinal number 3, and things really do get better.

I'm wondering if the same thing goes to stall # 3's for the ladies.

[JVegas]

I don't know if you call it a ritual, but we kept our slots betting money in one plastic bucket and cash out any hits and put our winnings in another bucket (this is before the paper printout slots). We quit betting when the betting bucket was empty. We usually ended up with more money than we started with. Sometimes much more if we had a good hit.

Of course the purpose is obvious, you don't put your winnings back in that way..

james

[pateboo]

I carry a little doll called a Wanga. It's kind of like a voodoo doll, made out of some type of pottery, troll like hair, a feather stuck in its belt that goes around its felt dress, and is only a couple of inches tall. I don't know if that's why I've won when I have. But I ain't gonna chance it and not take it with me. :o

[vegasbabe]

I always check my astrology.com horoscope before I gamble. I try to only play when there are 5 $$$$$ signs in the energy meter at the bottom. When there are, I usually win.

for clothes, I usually do the best when I'm wearing purple, my favorite color. Or my Danny Gans t shirt "The voices in my head tell me what to do." People read it and say, "Oh is that how you know which machine to pick?" or "nice shirt."

I also like to tap the right side of my VP machines before hitting the deal button. I seem to think I'm hypnotizing them, and I then tell the machine what cards to deal. Sometimes it works!

[lindainwi]

I guess it doesnt hurt to try. I sure will try this next time... if I remember. I have such a bad memory, and usually when I get to Vegas I'm in such a trance that who knows.

My mom had this gaudy 777 pin made of blue rhinestones. She always wore it in Vegas. My first visit to Vegas after she passed away I wore the pin. I always disliked the pin, so I wore it where it couldn't be seen, under clothing. It didn'n help and I haven't worn it since. Maybe I should try it again... this time wearing it proudly as my mom always did. :)

[sonntex]

Several times when we went on gambling trips, we had a ranch style casserole on the night before and we won pretty good on the trip. So now, W thinks that on the night before every trip we make to LV or the boats we have to have this dish.

He also has a lucky shirt that he always takes. He thinks if he doesn't have it with him he doesn't have a chance of winning. It's getting pretty worn. LOL

[pateboo]

My mom had this gaudy 777 pin made of blue rhinestones. She always wore it in Vegas. My first visit to Vegas after she passed away I wore the pin. I always disliked the pin, so I wore it where it couldn't be seen, under clothing. It didn'n help and I haven't worn it since. Maybe I should try it again... this time wearing it proudly as my mom always did. :)

Moms know best. :cool:

[MHIROTSU]

When having bad luck I go to the restroom and wash my hands, but I can't use the nearest faucet. And if I have good luck afterwards, I'll always use the same urinal, stall and faucet. Maybe I tried urinal #3, got good luck and didn't know why.

When playing craps, no women are to be near my right (throwing) hand. If I'm having good luck at the table, women are bad luck. If I'm having bad luck (and have already washed my hands), then women are good luck (2 negatives make a positive).

On a slot machine, I point to the payout that I want to hit. If I haven't hit a payout after a few spins, I change the timing of hitting the spin button, I'll hit a different part of the spin button and/or I'll point to a differnt payout amount.

Doing the nasty before gambling helps. If not, it sure is a good excuse.

Lately, having Suzy around has been bad luck. So, I'll leave her in the room, at the spa or at the pool.

If I'm having bad luck downtown, I go to the Strip, and vice versa.

And if that doesn't help, I go to a strip club. Then, come back to the hotel, do the girlfriend, wash my hands, and back to the casino.

Mike

[SandyA]

I don't think it's a "lucky" ritual, but I always wipe the keys of the vp machine I'm playing with an alcohol wipe. Can't stand to see people sneezing all over them, ugh:( If I forget a wipe or am in such a hurry that I forget to wipe, I'm uncomfortable all through the session. Yes, I'm anal!

Sandy

[sonntex]

Lately, having Suzy around has been bad luck. So, I'll leave her in the room, at the spa or at the pool.

Mike

If I'm winning and W walks up, it seems my luck always changes. If he gets the LOOK, he knows to vamoose.

[Steve]

I always sit at the same seat at the IP racebook. When sitting at a table, I always sit on the end seat.

Steve

[MHIROTSU]

If I'm winning and W walks up, it seems my luck always changes. If he gets the LOOK, he knows to vamoose.

This also falls under the idea that your partner is a negative. So, if you are having positive luck, you don't want the negative changing that luck. But if you are having bad luck, the double negative makes a positive. I read this in a Chemistry book in high school. Or, it might have been written in a fortune cookie. In either case, it has to be true.

Mike

[Dee]

If I'm winning and W walks up, it seems my luck always changes. If he gets the LOOK, he knows to vamoose.

Oh my Sonntex we have a lot in common ;) My husband will hover and lurk in the background sometimes to get a feel of how to approach, I can always feel him, however this last trip when he walked away I would lose. Oh and are you going to share that recipe???:D

[mbjts]

I'm a slot player, and I have started to form a few routines that, so far, seem to be helping (I've been winning more than losing lately).

I switch hands and buttons to push after I win a round, especially a jackpot.

I have also taken a tissue, and wiped the video screen before playing. At least it keeps the screen cleaner, and slows me down pushing the buttons.:o

If nothing "hits" after 10 spins, I get up and get to a different machine; never to another machine in the same row.:cool:

[misterKeno]

While playing BJ.. i dont take 1st base.

While shooting craps.. (if avail) i stand to the LEFT of the stick.

[pateboo]

This also falls under the idea that your partner is a negative. So, if you are having positive luck, you don't want the negative changing that luck. But if you are having bad luck, the double negative makes a positive. I read this in a Chemistry book in high school. Or, it might have been written in a fortune cookie. In either case, it has to be true.

Mike

Or, maybe it's just because you don't RESPECT women and are attracting bad karma. You reap what you sow. I thought Suzy was some type of inanimate object you named that, until you said you leave her at the pool or spa. Run Suzy Run. :eek:

[sonntex]

This also falls under the idea that your partner is a negative. So, if you are having positive luck, you don't want the negative changing that luck. But if you are having bad luck, the double negative makes a positive. I read this in a Chemistry book in high school. Or, it might have been written in a fortune cookie. In either case, it has to be true.

Mike

Now this double negative thing may have some merit. On our last trip to LV I was not doing so well on a machine and W walked up for a few minutes then walked off and almost immediately I hit a biggy. Hmmmm.

[GILUV2Gamble]

A friend and I were staying at the Rio one time. I had ordered a cocktail. It came with a Rio Rita swizzle stick. We both were playing Keno. Just playing around I took the swizzle stick waved it around the screen of the game and said "Rio Rita needa needa" AND my friend hit for $1750. So from then on I always carry swizzle stick and bring it out when playing. Sometimes it works. sometimes it doesn't.

[John White]

Bill, I visit some of the local casinos here in Southern California and what I have seen for lucky rituals are those who swipe their hands across the screen of slot machines either before or during the spins. It is possible that they believe that the electrostatic forces from their bodies will change or stop the spins whenever they want...
J. White

[MHIROTSU]

Now this double negative thing may have some merit. On our last trip to LV I was not doing so well on a machine and W walked up for a few minutes then walked off and almost immediately I hit a biggy. Hmmmm.

Watch out sonntex. I just got accused of not respecting women. So, you might get accused of not respecting men.

Mike

[sonntex]

Oh and are you going to share that recipe???:D

You really want it? Can you buy Ranch Style beans where you live?

[sonntex]

Watch out sonntex. I just got accused of not respecting women. So, you might get accused of not respecting men.

Mike

Heckfire, I've been married so damned many years, I don't know if respect even comes into play any more. LOL

[Dee]

You really want it? Can you buy Ranch Style beans where you live?

Yes mam I do believe I can, matter of fact I am in search of a good recipe for Hoppin John for New Years (supposed to be lucky) which of course are black-eyed peas, but I will try (almost) anything for a little luck ;)

[MHIROTSU]

One more: If a person at a craps table is playing the "don't" and I don't immediately win some money, I leave the table. Normally, I would just wait until the dice come around.

And never swear at the gambling gods, even if you lose money. That's just bad karma. Sooner or later the gambling gods will recognize your true spirit and will reward you.

Mike

[Dee]

One more: If a person at a craps table is playing the "don't" and I don't immediately win some money, I leave the table. Normally, I would just wait until the dice come around.

And never swear at the gambling gods, even if you lose money. That's just bad karma. Sooner or later the gambling gods will recognize your true spirit and will reward you.

Mike

Yes Mike She will :p (Lady Luck)

[MHIROTSU]

Yes Mike She will :p (Lady Luck)

Dee,

Can't leave her out. I've already been accused of not respecting women!

Mike

[cynthiaB]

If I'm winning and W walks up, it seems my luck always changes. If he gets the LOOK, he knows to vamoose.

I am glad I am not the only one, now I don't feel so guilty. I will stop playing act like I am looking for the waitress or looking in my purse for money, or I will ask my husband did you win or how are you doing? Then he will say where is going to be and walks away.

Once I sat next to this lady she was begging the machine, "please, please,
let me win, come on give me the money" she was rubbing her hands all over the machine almost hugging it! Gee get a room! :eek:

[Tweeets]

Good tip, Scott. Will that work for Stall #3, too?:D


Well, I for one am definitely going to try that, it certainly can't hurt. LOL
t

[Tweeets]

Do you have any lucky rituals that you use when you play? Have you seen players do anything truly bizarre while they are playing to bring them luck? If you have, please share your thoughts and stories about what you do or what you have seen others do. I think it will be interesting.


The most I do is switch hands, and sometimes if there is one, I'll pull the handle. I do carry a pocketful of lucky charms though. No not the cereal.:D

[misterKeno]

MRHOTSU....

Yeah, will have to agree with a few of your ideas/rituals.

Especially the person playing the dark side... they're the FROZEN section of the grocery store :mad:

I'll just do one single-unit come bet & that's about it. Wait til he 7's out. Orrrrrr, i'll just stand there & watch him hit point after point after point & see his dough get diminished, he he he he!!!!

(re: Craps)... another thing is, although not a ritual. I just CRINGE when i see the shooter being asked "would you like a cocktail sir". He sets down the dice he was juuuuuuuust about to throw, and orders his drink, then picks em up & throws. (follow me?)

mK

[TexasPam]

MRHOTSU....


(re: Craps)... another thing is, although not a ritual. I just CRINGE when i see the shooter being asked "would you like a cocktail sir". He sets down the dice he was juuuuuuuust about to throw, and orders his drink, then picks em up & throws. (follow me?)

mK


Follow you on that one. Also, players who are throwing money or bets in while the shooter has the dice. Or have their hand inside the table when the dice are about to be thrown.

When an arguement between a player and a dealer about a payoff starts, my bets come down!

[guruperf]

I always tip the restroom attendant a buck before playing. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't - but not many people do tip them, and they probably have the worst job in the casino.

My last trip to LV, my wife bought me, as a joke, a $10 super-gaudy Las Vegas shirt, black with red & yellow flames, and pictures of 4 aces, etc.

I put it on that night playing VP and hit (within 1 hour) a royal for $4K, a straight flush on Double-down Stud for $2K and 4 aces + a deuce kicker for $2K on Double Double Bonus. She also hit a royal, just before I did for $1K on a quarter machine.

I've worn it with moderate success in AC and CT, but will definitely wear it again in LV

[MHIROTSU]

Yeah, will have to agree with a few of your ideas/rituals.

Especially the person playing the dark side... they're the FROZEN section of the grocery store :mad:

mK

mk,

That's one I've never heard, but sure is funny and appropriate.

Mike

[MHIROTSU]

Or have their hand inside the table when the dice are about to be thrown.


TexasPam,

I learned that one, real fast!!

Mike

[TexasPam]

TexasPam,

I learned that one, real fast!!

Mike

Thank YOU!! Once I was at the Gold Coast and kept yelling at this woman who had her hands inside... she said she was a craps dealer and never saw someone getting so upset about that...

[MHIROTSU]

Thank YOU!! Once I was at the Gold Coast and kept yelling at this woman who had her hands inside... she said she was a craps dealer and never saw someone getting so upset about that...

Maybe she wasn't a very good craps dealer, and that's why she was playing instead of working the stick.

More: I have to place my chips on the table so that the lettering is right-side up when I look at them and I always place them in the same place on the table. And my chips can't touch the wood (where everyone else places their chips), so I keep them in my hand. The dealers notice this and will pay me off with higher denominations so that I don't have to carry so many chips.

I have more, but after awhile even I get freaked out that I have so many.

Mike

[beach3993]

Well after reading some of these I think I need to try something different. I wear a lucky necklace has different items from different Casinos mainly Harrah's but I lost my $ sign so now have to find one somewhere and I want to find a budda also if anyone knows where to get a small one that I can hang on my necklace in Vegas let me know. Beach

[trackman]

If I'm playing slots, I will always say hello to the machine before I start playing. If playing video poker and I've won a hand, I only hit the re-deal button, but if I lose the hand, I only hit the bet 5 coins button. If playing 3-card poker, after receiving my cards, I mix them up one after the other, 5 times! I usually hope no one is watching and thinks I'm a little crazy, but now I know that I'm not alone, ha,ha,ha!!:

[corinne]

Hi all

My favourite machine is the GoldFish and I always try and entice Goldie out of the top tank into the bowl by pushing him towards the top and encouraging him with words (only if there is someone with me or I'd feel exceptionally silly). Sadly it doesn't work very often. My daughter is in Thailand at the moment and then stopping off at Hong Kong on the way home. I have told her she must, must, must bring with her a Lucky GoldFish charm so next time I play I win. Evidently the Chinese regard them as lucky, hopefully they will be for me as well but time will tell. I'll let you all know in my TR when I get back at the beginning of March (if she remembers to get it that is!).

Corinne

[VegasBride]

I have several; I hope I can remember them all:

I always keep my winnings separate; they never go back into the machines. That way I know I will always go home with something. Hopefully, it's more than I came with.:)

If I am playing slots, and have just won, I will hit the "repeat" button. If I didn't have a winning spin, I will hit the "max coins" button.

I had a dress that I wore about five years ago on Mother's Day in which I hit a double royal. The next year again on Mother's Day I wore it, and hit for a $1.00 VP progressive. I had more people ask to borrow it, even two men. Since then it has cooled off.:confused:

I have found myself taking to the machines, even thanking them when they deal me a winning hand.:rolleyes:

I always cash out on a machine if I get to more money than when I started. Then I start over.

[LamontJoe]

I play a lot of slots. Well, when I play dollars, quarters or nickles, if I don't hit anything good, I start pulling the handle, kind of hard too. My thinking is, if I'm losing money, I am going to make sure that the casino will have to do some repairs on their machines. Now I don't try and damage any machines, I am just thinking about the wear and tear of pulling the handles. That has helped me hit some good money. My twisted thinking is that the machine doesn't want to get hurt so it starts paying out. I know, I know, it's only in my mind.

Another thing I do from time to time is that I will have money in the machine, if it doesn't hit, I cash out. I get my ticket and put it back in, the same machine, I hit max again, I lose, I cash out, put my ticket back in. and so on and so forth. My thinking there is that if I'm losing money, then I will make the casino spend more money on blank tickets and the ink that prints the ticket. My wife thinks I'm crazy for doing this, and I think its a little silly too, but if I lose, the casino pays too. I know, I'm a twisted kind of guy. I just wanted to share this with you and see if there are any other weird guys/gals out there that do the same silly stuff.