Why is 17 Lucky in Gambling? A look at the Least Random Number and its History

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As many of you punters out there already know, the number 17 is a popular pick at a roulette table. In most western countries in Europe, 17 is said to have an air of luck around it. So, why is 17 lucky in gambling? We take a look at what the number represents and how a couple of stories have amplified its superstitious legacy. So, you might think that all this focus to the number 17 is a bunch of mumbo-jumbo. But every gambler has some specific numbers which they hold close to them. Usually, these numbers hold some particular significance to the player in hand. For example, three of my lucky numbers are 30, 20 and 17. My birthday is on the 30^th, 20 is my favorite number ever since I was a child and 17 is my lucky gambling number. Is it all superstition? Perhaps, but don’t knock it. As gambling is a game of chance, sometimes we players want to have a bit of familiarity when going for a big win!

Introduction: Why is 17 Lucky in Gambling?

There are many ways to focus on the reputation of the number 17. From a survey of 200 people who were all asked to pick a random number between 1 and 20, 17 was the most common choice. So, what is it that makes the number stand-out? Some may call it nonsense but 17 has some pointers for punters to pick up on. The number itself is made up from numerals 1 and 7. Number seven is considered to be lucky for many bettors out there. When you add the two digits together you get number 8, another lucky choice for players.

From Heroes like Bond…

Another indicator of the numbers good fortune came from Scottish actor, Sean Connery. Reportedly, whilst playing roulette in Casino de la Vallee in Saint-Vincent in Italy, the 7-time James Bond actor placed five bets on the number 17. The first two wagers on 17 did not pay out. However, on his third go, Connery’s lucky number came up with odds 31/1. Even though the lucky spin won, Connery decided to place all his winnings on 17 for the second time. And what do you know? The movie star’s lucky number had struck yet again. (and who says lightning can’t strike twice in the same place?) Unsatisfied to settle with his winnings, Connery decides to test fate with a final bet on 17. You guessed it; the former Bond actor had won with number 17 three times in a row! Sean Connery’s staggering win was practically impossible. The figures show that he had a 0.0000197% chance of hitting it three times in a row or 50,000/1 betting odds. Since that famous story has blown up, the number 17 has become a mythical lucky number for roulette. This is a clear indication of why is 17 lucky in gambling. It beat all the odds and won £10,000 at the time (which is equivalent to over £160,000 today).

…To Villains like Ashley…

Another advocate for the number 17 is Newcastle Football Club’s owner, Mike Ashley. Newcastle fans have been calling for the billionaire businessman to leave their club having not invested any money into the team. However, up until now, Mike Ashely has made no move to walking away from Newcastle. Ashley, who is an established high-rolling gambler, had tested his luck with the mystical number. He walked out of the Fifty St James Club in Mayfair (which is closed down now) with £1.3m after placing a ‘complete’ bet on the lucky number. Here we have another celebrity, who promotes the question, 'why is 17 lucky in gambling?' Could there truly be a sense of good fortune around the number?

Perhaps there is truly a sense of good fortune around the number. Ashley certainly thinks so, you can find him wearing football shirts with the special number on the back.

…Lucky Number 17 Holds No Bars!

So, to answer the question, ‘why is 17 lucky in gambling’, James Bond portrayer, Sean Connery, is probably the biggest factor. The Scot’s miraculous fortune in Italy has lived on to this day. Mike Ashley is another ‘typical Bond villain’, but he had also been guided to riches whilst betting on the lucky number. Despite the good fortune of number 17, it is not always seen as the lucky number. In Italy, 17 is the least lucky number, as it is an anagram of Roman Numerals VIXI, which means “my life is over”. Generally, in the western world, punters playing in gambling-houses or online casinos such as King Billy Casino, tend to stay away from the number 13. It is considered unlucky in most of Western Europe. However, Italy, yet again, believes that 13 is lucky; countering what the rest of the western countries think. So, if you’re placing a bet on an online gambling site in Italy, don’t be surprised should you find quite a few wagers placed on 13.