The idea of bringing lucky charms to a casino shouldn’t sound strange to any avid gambler. Luck is an essential element in any casino game. Some games are purely based on chance and have nothing to do with your skills or experience, which is why having fate or fortune on your side while gambling is every punter’s prayer.
While there is no actual scientific basis for lucky charms and their effectiveness, many believe these objects can help win. If you’re one of those who believe in the power of luck, here are 7 of the most popular objects you may consider bringing on your next trip to a casino.
Four Leaf Clover
The four leaf clover is one of the most popular lucky charms. Here at Gamblenator Australia, we understand most gamblers tend to associate the clover with good luck which is why it is number one on our list of lucky objects.
The four-leaf clover is a rare variation of the more typical three-leaf clover. Due to the rarity of this leaf, it is considered a symbol of God’s grace or luck, depending on how you choose to define it.
Finding a four-leaf clover is a sign that you’re fortunate, which is why carrying it to a casino is quite popular. Today, the cloverleaf has become quite a recurrent character or symbol in many online casino games.
Good Luck Coins, Cards or Dice
Coins, cards or dice are the major game materials in casinos. Practically all casino games have one or even all of these elements as part of the gameplay. In some cultures, certain coins, cards or dice numbers are considered particularly lucky. As such, carrying a lucky coin or dice with you isn’t an outlandish idea. Many gamblers carry these game items in their pockets to boost their chances of winning.
Laughing Buddha
This is one of the most familiar good luck symbols. The laughing Buddha is also sometimes referred to as the “Pu-Tai or “Ho Tai”. Contrary to what the name suggests, the laughing Buddha is not the same as Gautama Budha, the founder of Buddhism. Instead, the laughing Buddha is a Chinese monk with a chubby belly and a bright smile.
This Buddha figurine is considered a symbol of prosperity, wealth, and good luck in various Asian cultures. Expectedly, many gamblers carry amulets, statues, and other objects made in the form of the laughing Buddha with them to the casino to invoke luck and good fortune.
The Beckoning Cat (Maneki-Neko)
Here’s another famous lucky charm with roots in Asian culture. If you’re a cat lover and you’re looking for a lucky charm, then you should consider this symbol. Maneki-Neko is the image of a cat with its paws raised (as if it is waving or beckoning at you). Although it is often mistaken as a Chinese symbol, the beckoning cat originated from Japan and was quite popular between the 17th and 19th centuries before spreading to other parts of the world.
There are different variations of the beckoning cats. Some figurines have the right paw up while some may have the left one up instead. Either paw raised is a good sign, but a raised right paw is more commonly associated with money and good fortune.
Business owners prefer the figure with a raised left paw because it attracts more customers to their business. The colour, attire, material, and other qualities of this figurine may vary as well all with different meanings.
Nazar Boncuğu Amulet
Unlike other good luck charms that simply bring you good luck, some objects like the Nazar Boncuğu Amulet make you lucky by getting rid of bad luck. The word ‘Nazar’ is an Arabic word that translates as “evil eye”. The amulet gets rid of the evil eye caused by the jealousy or bad will of others.
Nazar beads are among the most common memorabilia worn by casino-goers. It can be made from dark blue or light blue glass, but white and black-coloured Nazar Boncuğu amulets are common as well. The glass is typically formed into a circular or teardrop shape and can be worn as a neckpiece, hand-bead or carried directly in the pocket.
Horseshoe
The horseshoe is less mysterious compared to the other objects on this list. Yet, this seemingly ordinary object is one of the most popular good luck charms. Many people believe the horseshoe can keep bad luck away. Many gamblers have also adopted this lucky object as a good luck charm because it can potentially bring them good fortune, too.
The horseshoe is particularly famous as a good luck charm in horse racing. Here, hanging it around your horse’s neck can protect the animal from injuries during races. Casino players also carry a horseshoe with them or hand it above the gambling table to ensure good luck.
Cat’s Eye Gemstone
The Cat’s Eye Gemstone is not an actual cat’s eye. The gem got its name from the way it glows up like the eyes of a cat when it is hit by a magnificent ray of light. Many gamblers believe in the power of the cat’s eye gemstone to help them reduce money loss and boost their odds at the casino table. You can wear the precious stone as part of a piece of jewellery or simply carry it in your pocket to attract good fortune.
Other Good Luck Charms
In addition to the good luck charms on this list, there are several other objects that people tend to associate with good fortune. They include:
● Hamsa Hand: Symbolising protection and warding off evil, the Hamsa Hand is popular in many cultures as a good luck charm.
● Carp Scale: In some traditions, a carp scale is believed to bring prosperity and good fortune, especially in financial matters.
● Alligator Teeth: In certain regions, alligator teeth are considered lucky charms, believed to provide protection and strength.
● Three-Legged Toad: Often seen in Feng Shui practices, the three-legged toad is thought to attract wealth and abundance into the home.
The Origin of Popular Lucky Charms
As the list above shows, different cultures all over the world have different objects they associate with fortune and good luck. The table below highlights the origin of different lucky objects.
|
Lucky Charm |
Origin |
|
Four-leaf clover |
Western |
|
Tumi |
Peruvian |
|
Laughing Buddha |
Chinese |
|
Maneki-Neko |
Japanese |
|
Nazar Boncuğu Amulet |
Arabic / Middle Eastern |
|
Horseshoe |
Christian |
Conclusion
Up to 1 billion people all over the world believe in superstitions. If you’re one of them, then you’ll probably believe in lucky charms and their potential to influence gambling outcomes. You can consider carrying any of the items on this list with you on your next trip to the casino.
Regardless of whether you’re carrying a lucky charm or not, you should know that gambling is still a game of chance. There’s no way to guarantee wins and you should avoid chasing losses to prevent gambling addiction or problem gambling.
