Sportsbetting and Superstitions – Do They Mix?
We know that sportsbetting and information go hand in hand – of that there is no doubt. Yet how about another factor that seems to be present in many instances in the world of sportsbetting? I am talking about superstitions. Do they really matter when it comes to sportsbetting?
Try going to a sportsbook or even just observing both bet takers and bet makers on Friday the 13th. The chances are that you will see a large majority crossing their fingers or making any other gesture that is supposed to ward of bad luck – all this despite the fact that there is no empirical proof that Friday the 13th brings about worse odds.
Even the athletes themselves have their own superstitions. Some have to wear a specific piece of clothing. Others consider a cross-eyed woman bad luck. Though these beliefs probably stemmed from way back in the Middle Ages, they still exist today – and more than that, they actually hold sway over some people.
Now I don’t know about certain superstitions but there’s this story about Sam Hildreth, a horse trainer. One night he dreamt of a big hat. Arriving at the races the next day, he went over the entries for a horse with the name hat. He actually found two horses – Hatrick and Top Hat. Being the superstitious man that he was, he bet on both. As the race went on, the two horses were nose to nose. It looked as if they would win one-two. Imagine Hildreth’s excitement! At the last moment, though, another horse comes out of nowhere, overtakes the two “hats,” and wins. His name was Sombrero.