Card players have great faith in their "'luck," especially those who gamble and whose success largely depends upon chance and not upon skill. If you have had a run of bad cards it is said to change your luck if you lay your handkerchief flat upon your chair and sit on it. In the same way it is said to alter the run of the cards if you turn your chair round three times or walk round it three times. Another method of attracting luck is to blow through the cards when they are being shuffled.
The luckiest seat is the one which faces the door; the most unlucky is that which has its back to the fire-place.
When cutting for deal, if you turn up the deuce of any suit, good fortune should attend you.
If two packs of cards are used and you are asked with which you wish to deal, always choose the one farthest away from you.
The most unlucky card to hold in one's hand is the four of clubs.
When changing seats at the table you should always move in a clockwise direction; that is, from right to left.
Never pick up your cards with the left hand, or one card at a time. It is very unfortunate to sit cross-legged when playing cards.
If your partner should lose a game or a trick, never say "Bad luck!" or your luck will not change.
Superstitious card players do not like a dog in the room when they are playing, for it is said to cause disputes.
Friday is a bad day for card playing, while any thirteenth day of the month is considered unlucky. Nevertheless, if you find yourself playing on these days you may always hope that the bad luck rests with your opponents.
