Players' Prejudices in Land-Based Casinos

Feng-shui compass and runes to attract luck in gambling

Most casino visitors can not be called professional or skilled players. Many do not rely on the optimal strategy but on luck, superstitions, and misbeliefs. Let's look at some of these signs, but remember that Casinoz does not recommend following them because we believe any game should be taken seriously, especially with mathematical calculations.

Nevertheless, this information is fascinating and entertaining.

Feng Shui in Gambling

Feng Shui is a traditional Taoist practice that helps people achieve success by symbolically developing the world. People follow the advice in this teaching to become more successful in business and private life, improve health, and, of course, attract good luck.

This causes many players to wear all kinds of feng shui charms, choose a table in accordance with its principles, visit casinos on certain days, and so on.

They may even lay chips on the table in a particular order, believing it will help them win.

Piggy bank gold pig on the background of a heap of coins

Lucky Coins in Casinos

Coins also have many different related superstitions in the world of gambling. Most "prepared" players visit witches, fortune tellers, or cheaters who make "magic" coins you must throw under the table when you play. Each casino employee knows that cleaners find dozens of such coins throughout a busy night in the casino hall.

  • Many visitors try to shove a coin under the roulette wheel.
  • Some believe that this way, they attract a fortune.
  • Others do it for more practical considerations, trying to manipulate and use the roulette wheel for their purposes.

The widespread practice of placing coins in shoes originates from the Philippines. Local traditional healers claim that coins stimulate nerve endings on players' heels and help them be more focused and confident. Nevertheless, most players have not even heard about it and put coins in their shoes just for luck.

The Number "13"

For many players, the number "13" has a unique role in the casino. They believe that in this number of the roulette wheel, the ball falls more often, helps recoup the latest bets, and so on. They explain this belief by saying that in the Bible, the number "13" is closely connected with all sorts of sinister tricks. The casino comes from Satan. Therefore, it is the most critical number in gambling.

Moreover, on the thirteenth of each month, the casinos have more players playing risks at higher-than-usual bets. Particular excitement may happen if the thirteenth is on Friday.

Of course, no such practical observations are confirmed by superstition.

The number 13 fell on roulette

Christmas and Other Religious Holidays

In many countries where Christmas is celebrated on a particular scale, players tend to think that luck especially favors them on this day. Yet, very devout players (although this combination of words is ironic) might not visit a casino on the big church holidays.

It is worth noting that even casino employees do not like to work, for example, on Easter, believing they can not play on this day. However, from personal experience, I can say that these days, playing differs perhaps only by a particular psychological state of players and staff. Still, no specific distortions in luck have been observed.


Other Prejudices in Gambling

Here are some more:

  • You can not lend money during the game.
  • New players are lucky.
  • You should not add matches and cigarette butts to the ashtray on the table across from each other.
  • You should not leave empty cookware on the table.
  • You should not play at a table with a cross-eyed man.
  • There can be a lucky table, cut card, dealer, etc.

The list of such superstitions could be continued, probably indefinitely, especially because many are interpreted differently and contradict each other. Whether to tip the dealers has plenty of diverse opinions.

One thing is clear: they have little in common with reality.

Therefore, you should not rely on them in the game, but if this factor prevents you from playing safely and can easily be fixed, do it. You may become more focused.

The girl blows on the bone to be lucky

Frequently asked Questions

😁 Why do some gamblers believe certain dealers bring bad luck?

This belief is rooted in a psychological tendency called illusory correlation, where people perceive a relationship between two unrelated events. Suppose a gambler experiences several losses while a specific dealer is on duty. In that case, they may falsely associate that dealer with bad luck, even though the outcomes are determined by chance and not influenced by the dealer’s presence. Emotional factors like frustration, desperation, or the need to blame someone or something can intensify this belief and make it persist despite evidence to the contrary.

🤑 Are slot machines near casino entrances really “looser”?

Many players believe that machines near entrances or in high-traffic areas pay out more frequently to attract new players. While this used to be true in some casinos decades ago, it's largely a myth today. Modern slot machines are programmed with random number generators, and the payout rates are typically set by the software and regulated by local gaming authorities. Casinos now focus more on themes, visuals, and overall experience rather than strategic machine placement. However, the perception continues to influence player behavior due to cognitive biases like confirmation bias and the gambler’s fallacy.

😎 Why do players avoid tables where someone is on a winning streak?

Some gamblers think joining a table where another player is winning might “disrupt the flow” or reduce their own chances of success. This belief is driven by magical thinking and a misunderstanding of probability. Each hand in a card game or spin of the roulette wheel is an independent event, unaffected by previous results. Still, people naturally seek patterns in random outcomes and may alter their behavior based on superstition or a desire to control unpredictable circumstances.

🙋‍♂️ Do gamblers treat dealers differently based on their appearance or background?

Unfortunately, yes. Prejudices based on age, gender, ethnicity, or demeanor can affect how players perceive and interact with dealers. Some gamblers might wrongly assume that a younger dealer is inexperienced and more likely to make mistakes, or that a confident dealer is deliberately favoring the house. These biases reflect broader social prejudices and often surface in the emotionally charged environment of a casino, where tension and high expectations can bring out irrational behavior.

🎰 Why do gamblers believe that machines or tables “go cold”?

This belief is another example of misunderstanding randomness. Players often think that if a slot machine or roulette wheel has paid out a lot recently, it's now “due” to enter a cold streak, or vice versa. In reality, each game result is independent of the one before it. The “hot and cold” concept is a way for the human brain to make sense of variance in outcomes, but it doesn’t align with how probability actually works in games of chance.

👍 Can a casino layout influence player prejudices?

Absolutely. The layout, lighting, music, and general atmosphere of a casino can subconsciously affect how players perceive certain games, areas, or machines. For instance, players may feel more comfortable or “lucky” in certain corners of the floor, or avoid spots that seem too crowded or isolated. These environmental cues, though not directly related to odds or game mechanics, can reinforce existing superstitions or fuel new ones, contributing to the overall tapestry of gamblers' irrational beliefs.

😲 Is it harmful for gamblers to hold on to these prejudices?

While some superstitions can be harmless quirks, persistent prejudices can lead to poor decision-making, financial losses, and even interpersonal conflicts with staff or other players. Believing in lucky dealers, hot machines, or unlucky table positions can cause players to ignore sound strategy or chase losses in an emotional state. Over time, these distorted beliefs can erode a gambler’s control and reinforce unhealthy gambling habits.

Denis Anipchenko
Denis Anipchenko
Editor-in-chief and online gambling expert

Denis is a true professional with many years of experience in the gambling industry. His career started back in the late nineties when he worked as a croupier, pit boss, manager and casino manager. This unique experience allowed him to deeply understand the world of gambling from the inside. Since the late noughties Denis has dedicated himself to writing articles and analyses about gambling, and since the early tens he has become a key figure in the Casinoz team. Here he not only writes and edits content, but also creates reviews, shares his expertise and helps readers understand the intricacies of gambling. Denis combines practical experience and in-depth knowledge, making him one of the most respected experts in the industry. His writings are always up-to-date, proven and useful information for anyone interested in the casino world.

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Facts checked Alex Vasilev Scientific editor and fact checker
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