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A Clash of Beliefs: Gamers, Gamblers, and Sports Enthusiasts Face Off

In the realm of high-stakes activities, those who enjoy games, gambling, and sports are all dabbling in superstition.

SymClub
May 31, 2024
5 min read
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A Clash of Beliefs: Gamers, Gamblers, and Sports Enthusiasts Face Off

When it comes to high-stakes gaming events, many participants turn to superstitions for good luck. This holds true for video gamers, online gamblers, and sports fans alike. Our nationwide survey of 1,000 people from each group uncovered some fascinating insights into their superstitious habits.

The Superstitious Power Rankings

  1. Sports fans: 30.7% - these fans often wear a lucky piece of clothing (48.4%)
  2. Gamblers: 30.6% - they tend to do something specific, like button spamming or screen tapping (34.4%)
  3. Video gamers: 19.2% - often engage in specific actions (32.9%)

The overarching winner in terms of superstition? Wearing a lucky piece of clothing with 27.9% of the votes.

Sports Fans: Superstitions in Supporting Roles

Although they don't play the game directly, sports fans take their superstitions seriously. According to our survey, wearing a lucky piece of clothing is their top choice (48.4%), followed by cheering loudly (26.3%). Despite not playing the game, they still contribute to the superstitious atmosphere.

Video Gamers: Leveling Up Their Luck

Video gamers believe that certain actions can affect the game's outcome. In our survey, action-based superstitions were their top choice, with 32.9% of respondents admitting to performing a specific action. Some notable examples include button spamming during a loading screen or simultaneously mashing buttons like A and B.

Before a game, they also rely on mental preparation. As voted by 21.0% of gamers, listening to a specific song is their secret weapon, whether it be rap, pop, or jazz. Funky jazz player, Kenny G's "Songbird" is said to be a lucky pick for some gamers.

Other odd superstitions among gamers include saving twice before exiting a game (11.9%) or sticking to a certain in-game character (11.9%).

The other methods gamers may use for good luck include wearing lucky clothing (9.8%), eating a specific meal (8.4%), and rubbing a lucky item (8.4%).

Online Gamblers: The Risk-Takers

The same principle of luck applies to online gambling, where gamblers have some distinct superstitions. Our survey found that the most common ones are also action-based: button spamming and screen tapping (34.4%). While these may seem random, they're a way of channeling positive energy for these gamblers.

Some other common superstitions among gamblers include double-saving before exiting a game (11.9%) and wearing a lucky piece of clothing (8.4%).

Conclusion: Embracing the Superstitions

No matter what type of games or events you're into, superstitions are an integral part of the experience. From achieving a high score in Fortnite to playing in the big league, these practices add an extra layer of anticipation and excitement.

Overall, wearing a lucky piece of clothing appears to be the ultimate superstition among all three categories, with 27.9% of votes combined. But everyone has their own unique approach to seeking luck and good fortune. Embrace your own superstitions and who knows, you might just win the next big game!

Here's a paraphrased version of the original text:

Fingers crossed and wishing for luck! According to 34.4% of gamblers, performing a certain action is the most widespread superstition. Some believe that touching the screen while the reels spin influences the outcome in their favor, while others practice the traditional habit of crossing their fingers. When it comes to dice-related games, bettors either blow on the actual or virtual dice in the hope of getting lucky.

With a close second place, 26.6% of gamblers believe in rubbing a special object to bring them good fortune. This practice isn't surprising within the gambling community, as many people consider the rubbing of dice to be particularly effective, while others choose to rub their cherished tokens or coins instead.

Finishing third in our list of superstitious practices is wearing a lucky piece of clothing, as 14.3% of gamblers confirm. One notable example is pro poker player Kim Dong-Jae from South Korea, who swears by his lucky sweater and has worn it to multiple tournaments and game show challenges. Though he didn't win "The Devil's Plan," his lucky sweater has become a symbol of this gambling superstition.

Coming in fourth place is listening to a particular song before starting a game, according to 10.4% of gamblers.

And lastly, 5.8% of gamblers rely on other kinds of superstitious methods, rounding up our list.

Extraordinary superstitions: Conventional rituals among sports fans

Let's get ready for a victory! Sports fans are taking things to the next level with their special superstitions, hoping to give their teams a winning edge. It's game time; let's dive into their superstitions.

Sporting game-winning outfits, about half (48.4%) of sports fans put on their most fortunate attire – making it the #1 superstition in the sports world. The options range from team jerseys to lucky underwear. This dedication to rituals extends even to professional players, like Jason Giambi, who famously wore a golden thong to bust his performance slump. Do whatever it takes, right?

Running in second place, 25.3% of sports lovers wear a specific color – whether it's their team's colors or their personal lucky colors. Claiming the bronze medal, 11.3% perform a particular action, like dancing, singing, or even tapping or rubbing a statue of their team mascot outside the field or rink. Lebron James, himself, performs his characteristic gesture - the well-known powder toss.

Crossing the finish line in fifth place, only 5.0% of sports fans listen to a particular song, tuning into the "feeling lucky" zone (4th) while 4.1% bring their personal collection of 'other' superstitious practices to the field (5th).

Honorable mentions: 2.7% eat a certain meal (6th), 2.7% rub a lucky object (also 6th), and 0.5% avoid a specific food (7th).

The story of sports fans' superstitions doesn't end here, though. Our "Most Superstitious Fan Bases Across Major Professional Sports Leagues" study reveals which major professional sports leagues have the most superstitious fans and which teams have winning superstitious fan bases, overall.

Bringing together the three superstitious groups, the number one ritual shared by gamers, gamblers, and sports fans is wearing a lucky article of clothing – as chosen by 27.9% of our overall respondents. In second place, 24.2% of the total respondents perform a particular action. Taking third, 13.1% prefer wearing a specific color as their lucky charm.

Conclusion

Although each group has its favorite superstition, the common factor unifying them is their shared superstitious spirit. Regardless of whether you're going to a high-stakes event or participating in one, let our findings serve as motivation for adopting a superstition or two.

Methodology

In January 2024, we polled 3,000 U.S. residents. We questioned 1,000 video game players, 1,000 online gamblers, and 1,000 sports fans about their pre-game rituals and/or superstitions. We asked them a set of questions to find out which participants are the most superstitious.

The typical age of gamers is 34.3 years old. A sample chosen randomly consists of 61.4% males, 33.7% females, 3.5% non-binary individuals, 1.3% transgender people, and a tiny 0.1% who identify as 'other'.

The standard age of online gamblers is 40.1 years old. This random sample had 54.3% males, 44.0% females, 1.1% non-binary individuals, and 0.7% transgender individuals.

A typical sports fan's age is 40.4 years. A randomly selected group consists of 66.2% males, 33.0% females, 0.7% non-binary individuals, and only 0.4% transgender individuals.

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