It is simply unbelievable how many superstitions involving playing cards actually exist. It is very likely that these superstitions originated because of the cards' association with fortune telling and gambling, two activities that involve a certain mystery factor. Indeed, playing cards have long been regarded as objects potentially dangerous to one's spirit. Sometimes, they are even called 'The Devil's Picture Book.' An ancient superstition highly popular among fishermen and miners prohibits them to carry a deck of cards while at work, unless they welcome shipwreck or mine collapse.

Surprisingly enough, the poker cards also have a positive aspect attributed to them. Some believe that the playing cards would provide help to a pious individual. Since the late 17th century, cards have been said to help people in their prayers and during meditation seances. In fact, this practice exists in the modern times as well. An e-mail we received a couple of years ago said that soldiers serving in Afghanistan had the habit of using playing cards in their prayers asking the All-Mighty to help them survive the war.

Here goes a list of superstitions said to either improve or worsen a poker player's luck during play:

A. Picking up your cards before the dealer is finished dealing to all the active players. There may actually be a logical explanation to this superstition. If you pick up your cards before others are dealt theirs, your opponents (not yet concentrated on their own hands) might read your reaction to your pocket and make certain conclusions about it. You really don't want to give them such an advantage, right?

B. Picking up your cards with the left hand. The left hand has been associated with evil doing for many centuries. It is believed that witches used to use their left hand to point at the person they wanted to condemn to perpetual suffering. Thus, using the left hand while seeking success in poker is generally unrecommended.

C. Accidental dropping of a card while playing. Much like the first superstition we discussed, there could be some logic to this superstition as well. A person who happens to drop a card during a poker game is likely not very concentrated on the game course. Without being focused on the game, a player's chances to win it usually drop miraculously.

D. Having a dog in the room during play. Today, a dog is considered a man's best friend. However, in the past, a dog was regarded as witches' most trusted companions and, thus, brought, nothing but disasters to their victims. It's just bad luck people... Keep your pets out of the room and concentrate on the poker game you play!

E. Touching the card you like the most. This is about having a good luck, for a change! According to this superstition, touching your favorite card before play begins, means that you are very likely to win. Although we seriously doubt the truthfulness of this superstition, it's certainly worth a shot!

F. "Unlucky in poker, lucky in love." Here goes the best known superstition in poker and we desperately want to believe in it. Since true success stories in poker (face it, how many poker millionaires are there in your neighborhood?) are generally rare, we want to believe that being a loser in poker means being a winner in love!