Poll : 25 February - 10 March 2015

Analysis

Thanks for all the votes! Here's some of your feedback, coming in the wake of two Friday 13ths in succession!

• "(In theory) I am not superstitious, but sometimes an event happens that makes me question my honesty on the subject. I have hit four royals on the same video poker machine. Of course when i go to that casino the first thing i do is to play that machine!" [Ed: See the next comment!]
• "The signature I use on my online profile says it all: Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood?"
• "It's bad luck to be superstitious." [Ed:Yeah, yeah...;-)]
• "I'm lucky because I win, I don't win because I'm lucky." [Ed: Nicely put!]
• "I am not superstitious, however, I know that some gamblers are, so I try not to upset them by doing something that will cause them to react." [Ed: That's considerate of you, and wise to boot: Some of them have been known to BITE!]
• "I am not superstitious when it comes to gambling but I was taught at an early age not to walk under ladders and I don't. My mother was very superstitious and it is a wonder I didn't pay more attention - we turned around often in a car to avoid crossing the path a black cat made across a road. I think black cats are lucky! I do not enjoy sitting next to people who have little trinkets all around them, etc. I do think a lot of noisy people close around can make you lose concentration and I play video poker mostly. I move or quit if I am by them." [Ed: Moving if you feel distracted when you're actually concentrating on playing well doesn't amount to superstition, that's just smart!]
• "I'll give the felt a quick rub before I pick up the dice at a craps table. Other than that, no superstitions or rituals. I don't mind other people's superstitions as long as they don't waste time or intrude on my own enjoyment." [Ed: Well said!]
• "You forgot 'I am superstitious about everything, even gambling.'" [Ed: Well, thanks for putting us right!]
• "I'm not usually superstitious about anything, except flying. I fly a lot and when I'm getting on the plane I knock on the hull and then I text my wife that the plane's made of metal, so I'm good. Started doing it a while ago and never had any issues, so now I'm afraid to stop!" [Ed: Ha! Funny, we get it.]
• "I don't like to admit that I have superstitions, because logically I know that they are not true. Nevertheless, I have two persistent practices: 1) When playing video poker, if I accidentally hit the wrong "Hold" button (i.e. hold the wrong cards) then [in my head] I have jinxed the hand, even if I correct it before hitting "Draw" and 2) On any slot machine, if I'm on a hot/cold streak and someone sits down next to me, then they have caused my hot/cold streak to end. It will not change back until they leave (or I do!). Silly stuff!" [Ed: We're all human!]
• "Yes, absolutely, 100% no doubt about it. I beleive in good and bad karma and that if you wear certain colors or avoid others it will have an effect (although I will admit the red underwear thing doesn't work for me LOL)." [Ed: Um, no comment!]
• "Not only do I believe that some people are 'coolers,' including my wife (sometimes), but I stay away from people who look like losers or 'guard' their area. I can't stand smokers or drunks for so many reasons. Also I dislike strangers that hover, usually near my wife, because of ticket- and purse-snatching. Other superstitions: After a big hit, I cash out after a few more rounds and re-play. Also, I believe that a $50 bill or higher sets up the slot for a better payback. I believe that $100 bills are unlucky, not $50 bills! Reinserting the slot ticket 'resets' a bad run. I rarely play in a 'dead' casino at night. No positive energy, too many hookers, fewer drinks!" [Ed: Well, that last part makes some sense at least, LOL.]
• "I just have a set of 'lucky' numbers - I guess that qualifies as a superstition."
• "As long as their 'superstition' doesn't affect other people's enjoyment, it's not really an issue. Wearing that crazy shirt or carrying that little trinket is OK. But there's no way to ignore the person sitting near you who hits/slaps every button before the spin, or rubs every symbol on the screen with their hand before the spin, or has any other ritual that includes serious movement of body parts. I just came back from Vegas and had to endure a periodic ritual that took at least 20 seconds and includes multiple taps of the arm, chest, forehead, and machine - ending with the person licking his fingers and then hitting the spin button. It was very unsettling."
• "Normally, I hate $50 bills. On my last trip out to Las Vegas, the bank gave me all 50's since it had no hundreds...go figure! It turned out to be my most profitable trip ever and now I have to think abot taking 50s from now on!"