practice vs superstition

[pmolive]

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? 

[oej719]

I know of one person when playing video poker they strums their fingers over some part of the machines and verbalizes the cards they want on the draw. They sort of have a siezure if one or more of the cards rolls out. It is very entertaining but almost impossible to contain yourself as you watch this person. It does not help because they always loose due to foolish holds. It does make for good comedy.

[MikeA]

A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting at a machine next to a guy who was playing KENO...slow speed, 1-credit per spin and working on a 10-number selection or something like that.  Each time he'd get 3 or 4 numbers to his picks, he would start slapping the sides of his machine.  I guess he thought he could shake up the random numbers!  Very distracting to my VP play but it was funny.  This guy didn't think it was funny though.  He was serious as sin!

[zarina]

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 snipped 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.

Admin note: removing link.  Unfortunately that site has links to online gambling.

[macaroo]

I have observed a couple of bizarre behaviors recently at the local racino.

One that drives my crazy is the individual who will stoke the face of the CRT lovely to induce it to give him or her a better draw hand. This usually cause a greasy mess on the face of the machine.

The other which I have seen only a couple of times is the individual who will tweak (spin) the knurled knob that sticks out next to the bill verification mechanism when he or she sits down. Like that is going to increase your chances or some how change he RNG pattern!

[shadowman]

Another common ritual is covering the cards with a hand and hitting draw so you don't see the result but instead you hear it. For the life of me I can't understand how that is better.

[oej719]

Another common ritual is covering the cards with a hand and hitting draw so you don't see the result but instead you hear it. For the life of me I can't understand how that is better.

Seems like waste when closing your eyes would do the same.

[aqu]

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…

[pmolive]

hey what happen to the link?
 
I reffer to the site LINKNOTALLOWED.de.  Its in German language but contain good stuffs too.

[Webman]

pmolive,
Linking to that site is a violation of the forum rules because we do not allow links to sites that contain online gambling.  Please do not link to the site again.