WALES TOP 10 SUPERSTITIONS REVEALED

• Having a lucky number and finding a penny have been named as Wales’ top superstitions (both 34%)
• Number seven revealed as the most popular lucky number in Wales (19%)

• Psychologist Lee Chambers provides expert insight into why those in Wales would go as far as buying a certain house or naming a pet based on their lucky number 

 New research by Mecca Bingo has revealed that over half (55%) of Welsh people perform rituals to attract good fortune, with having a lucky number and finding a penny both topping the list (34%).

A quarter of Welsh people say they cross their fingers to bring luck (26%), whilst nearly a quarter say they have a good luck charm (23%). However over a third (34%) say they have no idea where these lucky superstitions even come from.

It comes as three quarters (76%) of the UK believe in luck. Mecca Bingo’s research also revealed number seven as the most popular lucky number in Wales, with one in five (19%) saying this is their number of choice, followed by thirteen, three, six and eight. But where do the numbers they pick come from? A quarter (28%) base their choice of lucky number on a significant memory, whilst a quarter just like the sound of it.

In fact, lucky numbers are so meaningful that 43% of Welsh people would use theirs as a pin, whilst nearly half (46%) admitted they’d go as far as buying a house just because their lucky digits were on the door. When it comes to playing bingo, 41% of Welsh people said that they’d make a winning jackpot number their new favourite.

Whilst Wales puts its faith in the number seven, Mecca Bingo has officially crowned 49 as the luckiest number, after winning call data from its clubs and online games revealed it to be the number that most frequently triggers a big cash jackpot*.

When it comes to the superstitions those in the Wales have to bring good luck, the top 10 are

1. Having a lucky number (34%) & Finding a penny and picking it up (34%)
2. Crossing fingers (26%)
3. Seeing a shooting star (24%)
4. Having a good luck charm (23%)
5. Seeing a rainbow (17%)
6. Getting pooed on by a bird (17%)
7. Finding a white feather (17%)
8. Wishing on a wishbone (16%)
9. Certain times, such as 11:11 (12%)

Whilst the top 10 superstitions the Welsh believe to bring bad luck include:

1. Smashing a mirror (41%)
2. Walking under a ladder (39%)
3. Opening an umbrella indoors (30%)
4. Putting new shoes on a table (24%)
5. Passing on the stairs (20%)
6. Not saluting a magpie (20%)
7. Not throwing spilt salt over the shoulder (20%)
8. Forgetting to knock on wood (17%)
9. Spotting a black cat crossing a path (14%)
10. Walking over three drains (15%)

Lee Chambers, expert psychologist, shares insight as to why we engage in such rituals; “Why do we believe in luck? As humans, we like to create links between two unrelated things and decide they are impacting each other, such as winning a game like bingo and wearing lucky items. Once we’ve decided something is lucky, we’ll notice and remember anything that confirms this, making belief about luck strong and tied to who we are. There’s also what we call “attribution bias”, where we’re more likely to attribute positive outcomes to our own effort and skills, but negative outcomes to external factors such as “bad luck”.

“Lucky numbers in particular can shape the decisions and attitudes of those who believe in them. We are wired to see patterns, and numbers give us the perfect system to do this within, prompting us to find meaning with numbers beyond the numerical value itself. We have emotional attachments to numbers, and these can be personal or sentimental, tied to things such as birthdays, big life events or culture. Using lucky numbers can make us feel more in control, that we are taking less risks, and even boost our confidence in facing challenges.”

Mike Sime, head of bingo at Mecca Bingo, commented; “Bingo is a game of chance, but we know many of our players across both our venues and digital games have their lucky charms and superstitions. We often hear of our big money jackpot winners choosing their winning bingo call as their new lucky number. The jackpot can be won on any number at any time though, it’s all part of the fun!”

Those in Wales can try their luck at Mecca Bingo clubs nationwide and online at www.meccabingo.com.