practice vs superstition

[neal]

Demographically, are casino gamblers practical people or believers? I find that the more gamblers know the intricate details of their game, the more they seem to have an almost spiritual approach to their play. It''s as if the outcome depends less on calculated statistics, and more on bizarre little rituals they insist on performing before (and after) they shoot. what are the most bizarre superstitions you''ve come across? Is it really as popular as it seems, but is it a way of throwing off the other players'' confidence?

[Harvey]

It might be that the really serious players know all the strategies and such. Once they've mastered that aspect, they start looking for something else to either occupy their mind or to give them an edge. Personally, I don't really take much stock in such stuff, but different tactics work for different people. Besides, I'm hardly what I would call a "master gamber."

Interesting question.

Maybe it could be compared to something like a baseball player. Many of them tend to be superstitious with lucky socks, gloves, etc. These are elite level players, but they've convinced themselves that these little rituals give them an edge.

[scott23]

I have been in casinos everywhere, and it is not so much a question of demography, and more a question of where you go. In NJ casinos I usually find more practical types of gamblers, but in Nevada I come across more of the "ritualists" you have mentioned. By the way, its not only the players who are this way, I read a funny article about casino owners who have pretty amusing rituals, check it out; try to spot the superstitious boss next time you are at the casino.Interestingly enough (or not), the most practical systematic gamblers I came across usually could be found in Indian casinos.

[Harvey]

Originally Posted by scott23

I have been in casinos everywhere, and it is not so much a question of demography, and more a question of where you go. In NJ casinos I usually find more practical types of gamblers, but in Nevada I come across more of the "ritualists" you have mentioned. By the way, its not only the players who are this way, I read a funny article about casino owners who have pretty amusing rituals, check it out; try to spot the superstitious boss next time you are at the casino.Interestingly enough (or not), the most practical systematic gamblers I came across usually could be found in Indian casinos.

Wow. I never even thought about the owners having any rituals. Thanks for posting, scott23.

[gemny]

For starters there is the classic "find the dumbest, blondest young chick to blow on your dice" before you shoot, or "never play blackjack with a woman as the dealer", which to me has to do more than pride than with the chances of winning. Then you have the weird things people choose to put on their bodies before entering the casino floor, like a rabbit''s foot, garlic in the breast pocket, rubbing salt into your skin, or making sure you have some of the desert sand in your shoes when you shoot at a vegas table…

[Harvey]

Originally Posted by gemny

For starters there is the classic "find the dumbest, blondest young chick to blow on your dice" before you shoot, or "never play blackjack with a woman as the dealer", which to me has to do more than pride than with the chances of winning. Then you have the weird things people choose to put on their bodies before entering the casino floor, like a rabbit''s foot, garlic in the breast pocket, rubbing salt into your skin, or making sure you have some of the desert sand in your shoes when you shoot at a vegas table…

Salt on your skin and sand in your shoes?! Man, this is some great stuff! I've never heard of either of those. Anybody else got any strange rituals?

[killerpokertim]

I have a special coin my mom gave me in my moth while i role the dice.
I think this coin made me lose many more coins so far :-(

scott23 ... are you italian ... i though i am the only italian around here ?