Do you believe in miracles when you place your sports bets 22Bet? Read about what players like you around the world believe in.
When it comes to sports betting, logic and math usually take center stage. But even in this numbers-driven world, many people—both bettors and bookmakers—secretly hold on to superstitions. Whether it’s a lucky charm or a ritual before placing a bet, these beliefs add a mysterious layer to the excitement of the game.
Lucky Charms and Personal Rituals
Across the globe, bettors often rely on personal “lucky items.” Some carry a lucky coin or wear a particular T-shirt whenever they place bets. Others swear by a lucky pen they use to write down predictions. These rituals rarely make sense logically, but they give bettors confidence and a feeling of control.
Some people even follow unusual habits, like always placing bets at the same time of day or sitting in the same spot while watching matches. It may sound funny, but ask any seasoned bettor and they’ll tell you: “If it worked once, it might work again.”
The Power of “Hot” and “Cold” Streaks
Bookmakers and bettors alike often talk about “hot” and “cold” streaks. A bet winner on a hot streak believes they are temporarily favored by luck. They might place bigger bets because they feel “the universe is on their side.” Meanwhile, those in a cold streak sometimes avoid betting entirely, convinced that bad luck is following them.
Interestingly, bookmakers also track betting streaks—not because they believe in magic, but because they know bettors do. Understanding player psychology helps them respond to betting patterns and adjust odds.
Numbers That Bring Luck (or Disaster)
In many cultures, people believe certain numbers can influence the outcome of a bet. In China, for example, the number 8 is considered extremely lucky because it sounds like the word for “wealth.” Meanwhile, the number 4 is unlucky because it resembles the word for “death.”
Western bettors often avoid the number 13, especially Friday the 13th, which is historically tied to bad luck. On the other hand, 7 is widely seen as a lucky number and is often used in betting combinations or amounts.
Some bettors even choose the exact sum of their bet based on numerology—like $11.11 or $77—hoping that the “energy of numbers” will work in their favor.
The Myth of the “Jinxed Team”
Many bettors strongly believe in the idea of a “jinxed team.” This is a team that always seems to fail at the last minute or lose important matches. Bookmakers sometimes joke that certain clubs are cursed because no matter how strong they look statistically, they still manage to disappoint bettors.
Fans also blame their own presence for jinxing a game. Some refuse to watch a match live because “every time I watch, they lose.” It sounds irrational—but in sports, emotions run deep.
Strange Rituals Among Bookmakers Themselves
Bookmakers, despite working with statistics, sometimes fall into superstition too. Some avoid opening new betting lines during thunderstorms, believing it brings chaos and unpredictable outcomes. Others have office traditions, like tapping a table three times before calculating odds.
And in some countries, bookmakers won’t discuss big potential payouts until the match is over—so they don’t “tempt fate.”
Why Do These Beliefs Exist?
Superstitions thrive wherever there is uncertainty, pressure, and emotion—three things that define sports betting. Even the smartest bettor can’t control the final score, so rituals and charms offer a small sense of stability.
Bookmakers understand that betting is both psychological and mathematical. And sometimes, a little bit of mystery keeps the game exciting.
