Superstition and cards go hand-in-hand. The reoccurrence of the number 13 in card games is one of the most classic examples of bad luck. In order to combat this unlucky curse, many bridge players have adopted superstitions they believe sway the luck in their favor – some logical, but most not. In the 2001 European Championship the Italian captain changed his table number from 17 to 16+, as 17 is an unlucky number in Italy. A more common superstition is that an item of clothing could bring luck. Often times after a successful first match, players will not change clothes, which can sometimes lead to an unpleasant experience for table partners and kibitzers.
