by looking for some rule or pattern that would explain why things happen. This is why even if rationally a rabbit’s foot is just a furry dead limb, the false certainty that it will bring us luck is better than no certainty at all, and it will give us leverage over our fears.
Gamblers are well known for their superstitious beliefs and rituals, and although it’s a fact that poker is a game of skill and not of chance, most poker players don’t take any chances when it comes to winning – they go beyond the influence of skill and explore the powers that superstition can exert to turn fate in their favor. Let’s take a look at some famous players’ superstitions.
Phil Hellmuth wears only certain ‘lucky’ colors for playing, and we will never see him wearing a white shirt; Hal Kant will never be seen counting his chips, since he believes it brings bad luck; Sam Farha always plays with a cigarette in his mouth even though he doesn’t smoke; Hans “Tuna” Lund thinks toothpicks are lucky charms; Tom McEvoy will not accept a bill while playing; Berry Johnson will never sit on seat number 6, which he thinks is cursed; Mike Sexton avoids looking at dealers because some of them could bring bad luck and Marsha Waggoner will not play poker if a black cat crosses her path.
Even though the previous rituals may seem ridiculous for any skeptic player, superstition surrounding card games goes far back in history. According to Online Poker Report, cards are associated with fortune telling, and they have been historically regarded as potentially dangerous for the spirit, to the point of being called ‘The Devil’s Picture Book.’ Fishermen and miners honor the ancient superstition that carrying a