Slot machine rituals are often quirky, deeply personal, and rooted in superstition, as players try to sway luck in their favor. Below is a list of 10 weird slot machine rituals, starting fresh, that highlight the eccentric behaviors gamblers exhibit to influence their odds, based on observed or reported practices.
- Live Cricket Companion: At Sands Casino in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a player placed a live cricket in a glass pill bottle on the slot machine during free spin bonuses, believing it brought good fortune due to cultural associations of crickets with luck. After the spins, they’d pocket the cricket, reportedly keeping it entertained with games like Angry Birds on their phone during regular spins to maintain its “happy” energy.
- Unwashed Lucky Socks: A regular at a Las Vegas casino wore the same unwashed socks for weeks, convinced they retained “winning energy” from a big jackpot. Despite complaints about the odor, they’d only change socks after a losing streak, washing them to “cleanse the bad luck” before starting anew.
- Coin Rubbing Ritual: In Atlantic City, a gambler carried a specific “lucky” quarter, worn smooth from years of use, and rubbed it on the slot machine’s screen before every spin. They believed it transferred positive energy to the machine, kissing the coin afterward and storing it in a velvet pouch for safekeeping.
- Personal Mantra Chanting: A player in Reno whispered a unique mantra—“Spin me to the moon, reels of fortune bloom”—three times before each spin, believing it synchronized the machine’s random number generator with their intent. They claimed the rhythm of the chant aligned their energy with the game.
- Troll Doll Guardian: At a Biloxi, Mississippi casino, a player placed a neon-haired troll doll on the machine’s ledge during play, believing it repelled bad luck. After each loss, they’d slightly reposition the doll to “reset the energy,” treating it like a mystical talisman.
- Spinning in Multiples of Seven: A gambler at a Macau casino would only press the spin button in sets of seven, convinced the number held mystical significance. They’d pause after every seventh spin to sip water, believing it “cooled” the machine’s energy for better outcomes.
- Lucky Underwear Dance: A player at a tribal casino in Oklahoma performed a subtle hip-shake dance while seated, wearing what they called “lucky red underwear.” They believed the dance, done only during bonus rounds, channeled positive vibes to trigger bigger wins.
- Blowing on the Spin Button: Observed at a casino in Monte Carlo, a player would blow gently on the spin button before pressing it, claiming it “awakened the machine’s spirit.” They’d exhale in a specific pattern—two short puffs, one long—before each spin.
- Stacking Pennies for Balance: At a slot parlor in Laughlin, Nevada, a player stacked seven pennies in a precise tower next to the machine, believing it balanced the “cosmic odds.” If the stack fell, they’d stop playing, interpreting it as a sign of bad luck.
- Tapping the Screen in a Pattern: A gambler at a London casino tapped the slot machine screen in a specific sequence—top left, bottom right, center—before each spin, believing it “unlocked” winning combinations. They claimed the pattern came to them in a dream after a big win.
These rituals showcase the wild creativity and superstition players bring to slot machines, blending cultural beliefs, personal quirks, and a touch of absurdity in their quest for luck.