Talented, committed, and amazingly physically gifted, many athletes are also superstitious. Superstitions, however, are not unique to athletes because we all carry with us some belief or habit that gives us comfort or confidence. 

In this article, we are going to look at some of the bizarre superstitions that athletes have and then, using those examples, show how we can implement similar beliefs into our lives to raise our fortunes in gaming on online casino sites, among others. 

This article is written by our celebrated writer and content assistant at NZCasinoHEX, Maia Hall. Maia’s main interests lie in the intersection of sports and online gaming. We invite you to check out her $2 deposit casino in New Zealand expert-vetted selection, should you end up feeling ready to try out the power of superstitions in casino games. 

Now, without further ado, let’s dive right in!

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The Role of Superstition in Sports

Superstition in sports is often about wanting to take control of a situation which one feels cannot be controlled, like in high-pressure situations. In situations that feel unpredictable or uncontrollable, athletes may turn to rituals and habits that seem to bring them success. These superstitions provide a sense of control and certainty, even if they defy logic.

It is not all about control, though. “Superstitions help boost one’s confidence while reducing anxiety. If an athlete feels that a particular action or charm brings them good luck, their belief in its power can improve their performance because it increases their focus and reduces their doubts,” our expert NZCasinoHEX team explains. 

Famous Superstitions of Athletes

Michael Jordan’s College Shorts

Michael Jordan is widely regarded as one of the best basketball players ever to step onto the court, and he had a strange superstition: he wore his University of North Carolina shorts under his Chicago Bulls uniform in every game.

Jordan believed these college shorts brought him good luck and were a key reason he enjoyed such tremendous on-court success. His attachment to this ritual was so strong that he reportedly insisted on wearing baggier shorts during his NBA career just to hide his lucky pair underneath.

Serena Williams Socks

Serena Williams, one of the all-time greats in tennis, insists on following a particular pre-match routine: she wears exactly the same socks throughout an entire tournament.

She also bounces the ball five times before her first serve and twice before her second. Although this may be a somewhat trivial ritual, it forms part of greater mental preparation that helps her stay focused and confident throughout her matches.

Tiger Woods’ Red Shirt

Tiger Woods is famous for wearing a red shirt on the final day of golf tournaments. This isn’t just a fashion choice: Woods believes that red is his power colour and gives him the psychological edge he needs to win. That belief in the power of this colour has become part of this golfer’s identity, and he rarely deviates from such rituals.

Rafael Nadal’s Pre-Match Routine

The tennis star Rafael Nadal is arguably one of the most ritualistic athletes out there. He lines up his water bottles in a specific way before any match and drinks from each one in a particular order. Even in the series of preparations for serving, which is highly predictable, Nadal consistently wipes his face and then adjusts his shirt, all while tugging at his shorts.

These apparently compulsive behaviours are not to impress anybody, but to help Nadal clear his mind and focus psychologically on the pressure of competition.

LeBron James’ Chalk Toss

Before every game, basketball megastar LeBron James performs his ritualistic “chalk toss,” dunking both hands into the chalk powder box and clapping together before sending the dust flying up in the air. This preference is a pre-game ritual to help LeBron centre himself for battle on the court.

How Superstitions Influence Performance

Our NZCasinoHEX experts confirm that superstitions have a scientific basis. Psychologists found that believing in a lucky charm boosts confidence, motivation, and performance, even under pressure. In a University of Cologne experiment, participants with lucky charms performed better in memory games, feeling they had a “secret weapon” that reduced anxiety and improved focus.