Poker charms
Sometimes the most unusual scenes will occur around a poker table. Picture this: A miniature dragon figurine sits in between a stack of chips. After every game, his owner, one of the players, talks to him (as if he could hear). If the game ended in “their” favour, the dragon receives a smooch. If it didn’t- he receives an apology. Does this sound weird? Trust me, this is for real, and in a game of poker, no one will even bat an eye about a scenario like that. Everyone knows that to be accepted in the poker fraternity you have to play by definite rules and follow the poker etiquette stringently. But when it comes to players, their good luck charms and their superstitions, everyone has their own eccentric set of “rules.”
The magical process to create good luck already starts when preparing for a big game or poker tournament. Poker players will do anything from kiss their mama’s goodbye or flipping a coin, to making love the night before and avoid any contact with any activity or item that is regarded as unlucky. Many will ensure that their lucky items are ready to accompany them to the game itself. Some will wear their lucky charms around their necks or on a bracelet, or have a “lucky” item of clothing. To ward off evil and bring good fortune, others will keep amulets in their pockets that could vary from herbs or a piece of chocolate to a rabbits’ foot. Johnny Chan, an accomplished international poker champion and former winner of the World Series of Poker, is known to not play without his “lucky” orange.
There are even more mystical associations surrounding players in a poker room. It is said that if you’re unlucky in love, then you’ll be very lucky in poker. So if you’ve trying to make a pass at a poker player and he or she does not respond, don’t always take it personally. There’s probably more to it than meets the eye.. Many players refuse to play when there’s a dog in the building. It is said that this probably stems from the fact that dogs were witches’ companions some centuries ago.
Poker players also take the utmost care to avoid or perform certain rituals during the game itself. And just in case you’re looking for ways to change your luck in the game of poker, let us take a look at the superstitious “don’ts” around the table:
• Do not pick up your cards before everyone else received their cards as well
• Do not pick up your cards with your left hand
• Do not drop a card during the game
Naturally one has to wonder whether there is place for superstition in the game of the intelligent. Poker is after all known as the most sophisticated game in the world. And most will agree that it requires a lot of skill to consistently fare well. However, there is always that element of chance that could create some unexpected twists and turns in the game. And since that is the case, it pays to have Lady Luck on your side.
Could amulets, charms and rituals really influence chance and turn your luck? Maybe, maybe not, but many poker players will swear by it… And even if you don’t believe in it- Who can explain why seasoned players will sometimes be on the roll for the whole duration of a game and then the next time they will not even have one single good hand…? Personally, I don’t have a specific good luck charm. But I must admit that some days I do feel luckier than others….
So how do all you poker junkies out there feel about it. Can you afford to be superstitious in the game of poker? Do you think there are some supernatural powers that can influence your luck? If so, why don’t you share your good luck charms with your fellow poker players here…?
