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BY ON March 12, 2014
Chinese gambling superstitions are a real thing, especially for, well, the Chinese, considered one of the most superstitious people in the world. And there’s really nothing wrong that. On the contrary, a lot of Chinese people have taken advantage of these superstitions and have built successful lives and careers out of them. And yes, that includes those who love to gamble.
So the next time you go to Macau and you hear a Chinese man call out the words Deng (Cantonese) or Ding (Mandarin) before opening their cards in baccarat, they’re not just hollering out some random expression. What they’re actually doing is adhering to a superstition that they believe is gonna lead to getting good cards.
But that’s not the only superstition the Chinese have when it comes to gambling. Running through an entire list is going to take some time so we decided to limit it to just eight pretty popular Chinese gambling superstitions that a lot of Chinese gamblers observe. Notice how we’re only talking about eight superstitions? That’s because eight is a lucky number among the Chinese because in Mandarin, the number sounds like the Chinese translation for “prosperity”.
Lucky charms, personal rituals, invocations to various deities all are believed to help increase the chance of winning. I would have thought that this was the sort of challenge Mythbusters would have taken on, but I don’t recall that episode. What superstitions or rituals will attract good luck and increase your chances of winning? Gambling involves a lot of chances and luck and it is thus understandable that players will want to do almost anything that they can in order to increase their chances at winning the game. Almost every other gambler has some or the other lucky charms which he/she will always carry with them whenever they are going to a casino.
So here it is, eight gambling superstitions that a lot of Chinese people still abide by to this very day.
Wear red before going to a casino, preferably a red underwear
This might sound a little cheeky to some people, but the Chinese are very serious about this particular superstition because in their culture, red represents joy and good fortune and that extends to gambling where its believed that wearing red underwear is going to bring you good luck. No specific details on the actual type of underwear you need to have on, so as long as its red. So whether its briefs, boxers, bras, or thongs, so as long as their red, you should be good to gamble.
It’s in the numbers
When you’re going to a hotel for the night and you’re planning to play in its casino, understanding your numerology, or a least a basic comprehension of it, could spell the difference between a hot run or a cold spell in the tables. Generally speaking, avoiding the number 4 is a good place to start because the number sounds like the Cantonese word for “die”. On the flip side, gravitating towards the number eight is a good idea because of the aforementioned reason of prosperity. Moving to more complicated numerology, Chinese gamblers also tend to use the numbers 3, 6, and 9, and combining them with 8 to form positive combinations. It’s a complicated web of understanding the whole concept of Chinese numerology, but the basic gist is to stay away from anything that has to do with the number 4 and embrace anything that has to do with the number 8.
The power of feng shui
A lot of Chinese gamblers believe in the power of feng shui, the belief that the world is full of chi or force, be it positive or negative, that can be manipulated to their advantage. It pretty much extends to gambling where a lot of Chinese gamblers stay away from walking into the main entrance of a casino because these entrances are supposedly cursed by feng shui masters. One particular example that happened at the MGM Grand was its decision to change its entrance because it forced casino goers to have to walk through the mouth of a lion. A lot of Chinese gamblers and some Westerners who believe in feng shui wouldn’t have any of it, though, because it was considered bad luck under the auspices of the ancient philosophy.
Pray to the gambling gods
This pretty much says it all, right? Praying to these supposed deities is a big thing for Chinese gamblers, so much so that there are specific circumstances that call for a shout out to these omniscient gambling spirits. Praying and making an offering to the gods before going to a casino is highly encouraged, as is praying before the day of lottery draw, making more offerings to the gods when you hit on these lotteries. Doing so, it turns out, gets you in good favor with these gods and as a result, your luck is deemed to be prosperous.
NO mentioning of books and NO touching of shoulders
These two seem pretty trivial for a lot of Westerners, but the Chinese take this don’t-tell-me-you-have-read-books comment and don’t-touch-my-shoulder-when-I’m-gambling pretty seriously. As it turns out, mentioning anything pertaining to books is considered unlucky because the Chinese translation for “book” sounds similar to “lose”. As far as the whole shoulder thing is concerned, its not only considered bad luck in gambling, but it’s also a rude gesture to make just about anywhere.
Gamble when you’re leaking
This one is pretty weird, not to mention a little queasy to understand if you’re a male. It specifically pertains to females because if she wants to be lucky gambling in a casino, or anywhere for that matter, it’s highly encouraged that she gambles when she’s having her period. Yep. When it’s leaky-leaky down there.
Wash (or don’t wash) the hands to change your fortune
This superstition has become pretty popular, even among Westerners. The whole point of washing your hands is to specifically change the course of your luck. So when you’re in the middle of a losing streak, you should be running as fast as you can to the nearest bathroom to wash your hands and wash the bad juju away. Conversely, if you’re on a roll of a lifetime, you should avoid washing hands so as not to wash away the good juju.
No sex before gambling
This one’s a little hard to come to terms with for obvious reasons. But the Chinese have made it a point of pride that if they want to score big on the gambling tables, they’re going to hold off getting lucky on…other tables…or beds…or toilets…or closets.
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In Las Vegas, you can use all the good luck you can get. Not surprisingly, Sin City is filled with good luck charms.
One of the most popular ways for visitors to get lucky in Las Vegas involves “statue burnishing,” the act of touching or rubbing a statue to improve their mojo. Here are the most popular things you can rub for good luck in Las Vegas.
1. Caesar at Caesars Palace
The statue of Caesar at, wait for it, Caesars Palace is one of the most-photographed statues in the world, but his appeal doesn’t stop there.
The statue is a replica of one known as “Augustus of Prima Porta.” Which we knew off the top of our head.
The Caesar statue is just inside the hotel’s valet entrance. There’s another statue near the elevators to the self-park garage, but it doesn’t feel as lucky for some reason.
Much love has been given Caesar’s left hand (see below), as evidenced by the high sheen and lack of patina.
2. Crazy Girls at Planet Hollywood
They’re the posteriors known around the world for their luck-bestowing qualities. The titular “Crazy Girls” revue has been running on The Strip for an incredible 26 years, and interest has never sagged. Formerly at the now-closed Riviera.
Snap a pic, but don’t linger. That’s just creepy.
Don’t look here for a crack about this sculpture.
3. Blarney Stone at The D
This chunk of the original Blarney Stone, from Ireland, is a holdover from when the former Fitzgerald’s became The D in the fall of 2012.
The stone is located on the second floor of The D, near Vue Bar.
Kissing the Blarney Stone traditionally means the kisser will get the “gift of gab.” Frankly, we’d rather get a royal flush.
4. Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace
Chinese Good Luck Charms For Gambling People
This good luck charm at Caesars Palace could be considered a “twofer.” The tradition is to touch Cleopatra’s ample, um, bow. Protuberances. Blinkers. Sand bags. Rangoons. Oh, just make your best guess.
The time-honored practice is so common, Cleopatra’s frontage is the most frequently re-painted part of Caesars Palace.
Without Cleopatra’s good luck, your gambling session could be a bust.
5. Laughing Buddha at Aria
Leaving cash gifts are fine, but you won’t get all the good luck coming to you if you don’t rub this laughing Buddha’s belly. Please do it respectfully, though, if you don’t want to cause an international incident.
This guy’s inside the door near the Aria’s north valet, although we get the sense he’d rather be closer to the buffet.
Aside from his well-polished belly, the laughing Buddha’s toe seems to also be a focal point for fortune-seekers.
If you’re interested in Chinese philosophy, you also try reading the “Toe Te Ching.”
6. Mermaids at The Mirage
Oh, let’s cut to the chase. Boobs are lucky in Las Vegas, plain and simple. There are more you can rub, without getting too arrested, in the lobby at The Mirage. Just look for the mermaids.
7. Elvis at Westgate (Formerly LVH)
Las Vegas Hotel (LVH) was recently purchased by Westgate, but The King refuses to leave the building.
Elvis had 636 sold-out shows at the former Las Vegas Hilton, and boy was his pelvis tired.
This Elvis Presley statue is near the hotel’s registration desk, and is a popular stop as guests head into the casino.
Elvis’ ringed hand is clearly thought to be the luckiest spot on his statue.
8. Joe Louis at Caesars Palace
We’re pretty sure Caesars Palace has more statues than any other Las Vegas resort, so it follows it would also have more statues considered by gamblers to be lucky.
Touching the gloves of boxing champ Joe Louis, outside the hotel’s Mesa Grill restaurant, is said to bring copious good fortune.
Joe Louis was world champion for 11 years and 10 months. And the “Brown Bomber” did it without having anyone’s lucky gloves to touch, other than his own.
9. David at Caesars Palace
We can’t leave Caesars Palace without a stop by the replica of David. David is elevated on a pedestal, so guests touch the big toe of his left foot for good luck.
This statue’s toe, it’s worth noting, gets more action in Las Vegas than even pro athletes and members of the royal family.
Chinese Good Luck Charms For Gambling Money
At one time, David had a gilded loin-garland. Incidentally, The Gilded Loin-Garlands would make a great band name.
10. Laughing Buddha at California Hotel
This perpetually gleeful guy definitely gets around!
You can’t miss this large wooden statue at the California casino in downtown Las Vegas, and superstitious players wouldn’t think of hitting the casino before rubbing that well-worn belly.
The laughing Buddha is said to represent longevity, prosperity and an aversion to Ab Rollers.
Casino Good Luck Charm
That’s our top 10 things to rub in Las Vegas for good luck! Brush up on your statue burnishing etiquette and let the unbridled fondling begin.
Chinese Good Luck Charms For Gambling Free
Do you have a favorite thing to rub in Las Vegas for good luck, we asked rhetorically, knowing full damn well how your mind works?
Chinese Good Luck Charms Meaning
If you know of other lucky statues in Las Vegas, leave them in the comments section. We might include your suggestion in our next list and pay you a handsome reward. (Good luck with that.)