What Are The Roulette Superstitions?
Roulette has always been one of the most iconic games in the world of gambling. The captivating spinning wheel is built on pure chance yet hasn’t stopped players from bringing their own little rituals and beliefs to the table. These roulette superstitions are also a large part of what makes the game so charming and has an air of mystique, even with today’s high-tech gaming world.
On the best casino sites in the UK, where games are powered by random number generators and fairness is heavily regulated to give each player a chance, players will still cling onto the idea that their lucky numbers, favourite colour or even quirky spin ritual will make all the difference to the outcome. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing in person or digitally through online casinos, superstitions remain a fascinating and enduring part of the experience for all.
Lucky/ Unlucky Numbers
One of the most common roulette superstitions involves your so-called ‘lucky numbers’. These could be your birthday, a family member's birthday, anniversaries or simply numbers that hold a special meaning to you. Typically amongst the most popular is the number 7, which is universally seen as lucky.
On the other hand, the number 13 widely resonates with being unlucky in many cultures and is often avoided for that reason. Yet some gamblers will purposely bet on it because of this reason, believing it's due for a reversal of fortune.
What is also quite interesting is that some players are drawn to the colour green which is 0 or 00 in American roulette. While this might give the house its edge and lowers the overall return to player rate, many bet on it as it could signal a massive win for them. There is so much psychology to unpack behind choosing lucky numbers in roulette and it can really run deep, however there isn’t any logic to it but more an emotional response or belief.
Pre-Game Rituals
Outside of having a lucky number decide your fate, many players will perform rituals before and during the game. We are not talking about spending half an hour potentially blessing the table, but rather some players might tap the table a certain number of times before placing their chips down. Others might settle for wearing their favourite lucky shirt, blowing on their chips or even avoiding eye contact with the dealer.
These would all be rituals for in person games, yet they can still be present online just in a different form. Gamblers might click their mouse a certain way or only play at certain times in the day they believe to bring them more luck. In a game that is based on chance, rituals bring a small sense of control to the player and is a major part of why roulette can feel so personal to many players.
Hot and Cold Numbers
Another well-known superstition is the belief in ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ numbers - those that appear frequently or haven’t appeared at all during a player session. Many roulette players will watch these religiously and use it as a guide for future bets thinking that they may have found a pattern.
For example if red numbers have landed five times in a row, some players may think a black number is now due. Others might double down on red convinced there is a streak happening. This behaviour actually has a name and is called ‘Gambler’s Fallacy’ which is the mistaken belief that past outcomes have influence on future ones in the games of chance.
We know that each spin is statistically independent, though this doesn’t stop players from following patterns and believing in their rituals.
Avoiding Losing Tables
Roulette is also just as much about the vibe in the atmosphere as it is about the strategy for players. Some refuse to sit at a table as an example where someone has just lost big as they believe it could be a sign of things to come for them.
Online roulette players might sometimes leave tables if they have had a bit of a losing streak or feel the energy is off. There is no scientific basis for this of course, but many gamblers will swear by it. It’s not logical but they are deeply ingrained in the experience for some people.
Good Luck Charms
Some players might also carry physical items like a lucky object such as rabbit’s feet - hopefully not real ones - four-leafed clovers, special coins etc. These are believed to bring them good luck and attract good and positive energy.
Online players might adapt these habits by keeping these luck charms in a certain place if playing from a desktop, through fear that moving it might lead to bad luck. These habits add to the player’s comfort levels and sense of control again where there is no control in this game.
Our Final Thoughts
So, mathematically speaking roulette is a game of chance and therefore results are completely random. However superstitions enhance the player’s emotional engagement with the game and do not harm anyone in their involvement. So keep your bets smart and expectations realistic and believe in what helps you enjoy the game to its fullest potential.