Bingo Superstitions: Do Lucky Charms Really Work?
Like many games that capture the imagination, bingo is a game where on any given day the person that wins is random. It all comes down to how the balls fall and what card you happen to have, a pairing that really could happen to anyone. However, a study from 2017 highlighted that many players (81%) held at least one superstitious belief – with 10% of those players believing that carried over into the bingo hall. So, we’re here to dive a little deeper into superstition in the realm of bingo.
Popular Bingo Superstitions and Lucky Charms
There are a number of superstitions that play out within the bingo hall. Some think that particular seats are ‘winners’ compared to others, or believe that their regular seat is the one that’ll carry them to victory – so refuse to sit elsewhere.
Some players may develop sentimental attachment to items that are present during a win or two, like a certain coloured dauber or jewellery they were wearing. This may encourage them to keep using or wearing an item in the hope it’ll see their card fill yet again.
Then there are certain numbers that could be seen as good omens – or bad, depending on how they’ve played out for them personally. At the end of the day, these superstitions are about interpretation for the individual, rather than having an impact on the cosmos to garner favour.
The Psychology Behind Bingo Rituals
Psychologists refer to the mental connection between unrelated events as “illusory correlations” – the false belief that carrying a specific charm somehow influences random number generation. Yet these beliefs persist, because they serve important psychological functions beyond mere superstition.
Daily rituals and items that have a perceived power are something that can provide structure when there is seemingly a large amount of unpredictability. So, for games that are purely random, it can feel as though you’re having some form of influence – which can have a positive impact on mental wellbeing.
What’s important is that you remain grounded, and don’t allow the idea of superstition to influence your behaviour. While you may believe playing with a certain friend can affect the game, don’t allow a run of losses to spoil that friendship.
Superstitions in the Digital Age: Online Bingo and Changing Habits
As bingo has found a home on digital platforms, some of these superstitions have fallen away – while others have persisted. It’s hard to attribute winning to a specific card or dauber, when neither of these are physical entities. However, people still believe certain numbers on their card or having a number called at a certain point in a game as an omen.
With the rise of online games such as bingo lite being played at home, their special seat may be one in a certain room of the house that is especially comfortable. Or they may make a certain beverage before playing so they remain refreshed throughout their play session.
The main thing to remember is that, at the end of the day, this is all superstition. Accepting the game as just that – a game – is key to remaining grounded and switched on during a round of bingo.
