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Gaming Superstitions

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In an effort to combine the Nerdarchy YouTube channel and the website articles, I am drawing inspiration directly from this ArmorClass10.com-sponsored video. The subject at hand is gaming superstitions. To begin with let’s define the concept, shall we? Superstition is defined as “a widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural causation leading to certain consequences of an action or event, or practice based on such belief.” With that in mind, let’s delve into a few I have seen, heard of, or been told about.

A taste of gaming superstition

  • One friend of mine has the belief, apparently held by Nerdarchist Ted as well, that if you let the dice lay a certain way that this will train the dice to land a certain way. This is a superstition in that although dice could possibly be a slow moving liquid, they would not actually be laying anywhere long enough to become weighted.
  • Another friend believes in the idea of luck vampires, or by letting other people touch your dice they steal the luck that is contained within. This superstition is ridiculous on many levels and yet I have seen it in action at my table.
  • One that I am guilty of is that by some weird positioning of dice, such as from largest to smallest, you can affect the dice and how they roll. This reminds me of the superstition of astrological signs at the time of birth somehow affecting your behavior or fate. Truly ludicrous now that I have it on the proverbial paper. Oh well, if you can’t laugh at yourself who can you laugh at?
  • Favorite gaming shirts are right up there with wearing a team’s jersey, and have an effect of communal superstition. Like by everyone committing to the belief, you bring your group together.
  • Lucky dice, at its core, is a superstition. Properly made dice that are not weighted to cheat should have no advantages over any other dice.
  • Rolling dances or procedures are simply the gaming version of an end zone dance. It’s actually one of the funner ones out there.
  • Vegas is well known for having someone blow on the dice for good luck, which is one superstition that is older than any of the Nerdarchy staff!
  • Playing specific builds for luck, though this superstition borders on being just personal preference.
  • One player I had would only roll with the opposite hand he last rolled with. Left, right, left, right… All night he would continue that superstition.

superstition belief

Superstitions take many forms.

The power of belief

Which leads me to the thought that if it amuses you, and it settles your mind, than why not keep it up? Superstitions are a tradition and mythos designed to bring us together. Like tribal dancing, glima, and other traditions of cultural significance, gaming superstitions are indicative of gaming being its own evolving culture. This culture will continue to grow, and like the melting pot that is America, its superstitions will continue to evolve with every group that joins. From the lucky beliefs, to the scary stories akin to “Bloody Mary,” superstitions excite and amuse us at some primal level. I believe this primal level is at its core the need to explore and push into the unknown. Like Lewis and Clark, humans have some innate need to conquer and control the unknown. Including the unknown future results of games of chance.

So what are some of your gaming superstitions? Let us know in the comments below!


Play on PS4 or PS3? Did you know that Nerdarchy has a community that plays together often? Go ahead and search in the community section for Nerdarchy and for the player Nubz_The_Zombie!

Did I miss something? Have any Questions or Comments? Feel free to message me at www.facebook.com/NubzTheZombie or at nubz.the.zombie@gmail.com

Stay Nerdy,

Nubz

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Nigel Sanford

Nubz hails from the American Pacific Northwest where he has spent the last 24 years living the gamer life and running campaigns of all kinds. Through this he has managed to sate his acting bug and entertain many. Now a father, he wishes to pursue writing to leave a legacy in Nerd culture for his offspring to enjoy.

1 Comment

  • Zippyfreak69
    June 21, 2017 at 4:41 am

    I will admit to the following Habits:

    – Leaving all dice standing with max number facing up
    – Arranging them in size order
    – Not allowing other to touch the dice

    Though, this may be less superstitious and more making it easy to find a specific dice, and stopping other people Accidentally stealing/losing them at the end of the night.

    (a lot less dice have vanished from my collections of shiny dice since enacting these rules)

    The fact that the dice gods are appeased in just a added bonus. 😉

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