| ing and superstition go hand in hand! Poker players | | | | the head three times when he is losing on the theory |
| – along with gamblers in general – often | | | | that he is “shaking things up”. Yet |
| have specific rituals they follow before or during play | | | | another is said to bring voodoo dolls dressed like the |
| which they believe will bring good luck. Sometimes it | | | | dealers into the casino so that he can control the |
| involves wearing a particular article of clothing or | | | | cards dealt to him. |
| jewelry or it might require carrying a specific item. And | | | | Some other superstitions held by poker players include |
| it often involves the environment in which they gamble. | | | | the following: |
| There are a number of superstitions that have been | | | | • When you play poker, wear an article of dirty |
| around for many years and others that have popped | | | | clothing to keep away evil. |
| up more recently in places like luxury hotels on the Las | | | | • Blow (or spit) on your cards for good luck |
| Vegas Strip where resorts will go to great lengths to | | | | – preferably when no one is looking. |
| honor the sensitivities of their poker playing guests. An | | | | • If you are playing on a wooden table, be sure |
| example of the foregoing is a multi-million dollar | | | | to choose a seat that lets you lay your cards with the |
| renovation undertaken by the MGM Grand in 1998. | | | | grain instead of against it. |
| While the hotel management states the face lift was | | | | • Don’t cross your legs while playing or |
| done for purposes of beautification of the five year old | | | | you will “cross out your luck”. |
| resort, it was also admitted that part of the decision to | | | | • Never gamble in a room with a dog in it. |
| remodel the hotel’s entrance was based upon | | | | • Wait until all the cards have been dealt |
| folklore and beliefs of their Asian guests – many | | | | before you pick up yours and be sure to pick them up |
| of whom play Texas Hold’em Poker. | | | | with your right hand. |
| Prior to the renovation, players entered the casino by | | | | • If you are dealt the four of clubs, discard it |
| walking through the mouth of a lion. It was very quickly | | | | immediately unless it is absolutely necessary to your |
| discovered that this important segment of their | | | | hand. Some poker players believe if this card is dealt |
| gamblers believed that walking through a lion’s | | | | to you in the first hand, you should throw down your |
| mouth was considered unlucky – which resulted | | | | cards and leave the game because it signifies you will |
| in the renovation of the entrance to the MGM Grand. | | | | have nothing but bad luck. |
| A casino manager who must remain nameless reports | | | | • Do not allow any other poker player to place |
| that one of his regular poker players keeps chocolate | | | | their foot on the rung of your chair. If you want to bring |
| in his pocket while at the gaming tables. This man | | | | another player bad luck, place your foot on their chair. |
| throws a piece of candy on the floor before he places | | | | Two factors of good luck agreed upon by most poker |
| a bet in the belief that the devil will be distracted by the | | | | players include the color red and being well dressed |
| candy and leave him alone to have good luck. | | | | when you gamble. |
| He reports that another of his regulars hits himself in | | | | |