Before we jump into this post, let me hit you with a question — be real with yourself, okay?

Do you have that one shirt that seems to bring you luck every time you wear it? Or have you given up on the whole lucky charm thing after it let you down a bunch of times?

Haha, there are so many weird thoughts and superstitions swirling around the gambling community as well. Poker particularly.

Fine, today is the day we are unearthing everything. We will shake the dirt off them to discern what they are really about. This post will dish out all the juicy information. Trust me, it’s going to be way more fun than you bargained for! 

Here they are:

#1. No fifties, please 

There is a peculiar superstition surrounding the innocent $50 bill. It’s not just about a simple aversion; it’s a full-blown phobia that some gamblers harbor, shunning the crisp note as if it were cursed with the very essence of misfortune itself. 

Why, though? What is it about this particular denomination that sends shivers down the spines of bettors, especially among American gamblers in Las Vegas? 

The roots of this superstition trace back to the tumultuous days of the American Civil War. Ulysses S. Grant, the Victor general whose stoic face graces the $50 bill. The story goes that this guy was mixed up in some shady business. He also had a tough time keeping his money in check. Eventually, he went bankrupt. All this drama kind of left a bad taste in people’s mouths around the reputation of the bill.

Whether or not this historical figure’s money problems really cursed the bill is up for debate. The idea has stayed with gamblers for many years.

Another tale of this superstition is the tragic demise of one of Las Vegas’s founding figures, Bugsy Siegel. The notorious gangster met his end in a hail of bullets, purportedly with nothing but $50 bills in his pockets. This macabre association further solidified the bill’s reputation as an omen of ill fortune, haunting the minds of those who dare to handle it within the confines of a casino.

People are freaked out about using the $50 bill, those stories are not the only reasons. There are real worries, for instance, lots of fake bills floated around because they were a common target for counterfeiters. 

Hence, people playing games steer clear of using the notes because they’re scared of getting stuck with a fake. In addition, it looks very similar to other bills (color, size), especially the $20 or even the $5. All this just adds to the whole mess and makes people even more suspicious.

Across the pond, countries, including Britain, remain unfazed as they deal in pounds. British bettors remain blissfully unaware of the peculiar phobia gripping their transatlantic counterparts.

#2. Lucky charms 

Some bettors truly believe in the magic of lucky charms and have developed quirky superstitions to accompany their gambling endeavors. They’ve got all sorts of habits and rituals, from wearing lucky socks or underwear to carrying around a rabbit’s foot. And don’t get me started on the table tapping and other rituals. Although it might sound a bit out there if it gives them that “I got it” feeling, who are we to judge? Huh?

I know you and others might roll your eyes at these things. Yet, for many gamblers, they’re an integral part of the game. Let’s at least cut them some slack. Hang on, I’ve got more interesting stuff for you.

#3. The baby runs good

We could call this one the most amusing one. The belief is that once you become a parent, suddenly, your luck improves in games. It’s as if parenthood comes with a golden touch that boosts your fortune.

Take Andrew Moreno, for example. He’s a poker player who won the Wynn Millions poker tournament while his wife was eight months pregnant. He even credited his unborn son for his good luck, saying, “I feel like ‘baby run good’ is a valid thing. I’ve been on a roll. I started noticing it not long after she got pregnant. Maybe the universe wants me to pause poker for some time and spend it with my family.”

Peradventure, there’s a grain of truth to it. Who knows? Or maybe it’s just wishful thinking amidst sleepless nights.

#4. The winning first-hand curse 

Winning on the first hand of a card game can really mess with your head, you know? Some folks swear that the occurrence and inviting bad luck to crash a party are no different. They say it disrupts the natural order of things or makes you too cocky. And before you know it, you’re making all sorts of risky moves and watching your chips disappear faster than a magician’s rabbit.

Even if you’re not the superstitious type, there’s something about winning right off the bat that just feels... off. That “too good to be true…” feeling.

#5. Switching Seats 

Ordinary switching of seats that we do at weddings, football games or the movies, in gaming, some people see it as something more than that. They’ll change seats, hoping to change their luck, even in poker which is skill-based. They do this usually because the last person in that seat was on a roll or hit the jackpot.

They think moving around can shake off a bad run or maybe even snag some of that good mojo from the last person in the seat.

Summing Up Without Supersti…

I cannot blame anyone who is superstitious. It’s kinda in our blood. Even our ancestors were into it. Look at Egypt, for instance, that everyone knows is a grandpa of countries. They had this thing about triangles being sacred. If a ladder was leaning against a wall and formed a triangle, they believed it represented the trinity of the gods. Walking through it was a big no-no.

It is funny that even though we’re learning new stuff about the universe, nature, and diseases every day, superstitions aren’t going anywhere. In fact, they might even be on the rise. And it’s not just the less educated peeps. Even the brainiacs among us can’t seem to shake them off.

Some of the poker superstitions we talked about stand out, such as lucky charms. They might actually help players feel more in control and focused during the game. Considering how complex our brains are and how even tiny things can have a big impact, it kinda makes sense.

And that swapping seats one we discussed might be able to give players a mental reboot, straighten up their posture, and rethink their game plan. Therefore, it’s not all hocus pocus.