Many of us have lucky numbers that we like to pick out when playing certain games. And, given that roulette is all about numbers, it’s hardly surprising that players have a few favourite (and least favourite) picks. From the dreaded green zero to red 36, players have 37 different pockets to pick from, and of these, the number 17 always seems to be talked about the most.
The number 17 in roulette is actually right in the middle of the wheel’s pockets in the European game, making it one of the most obvious pockets. In this version of roulette, the number 17 is opposite the green zero, meaning that it’s also likely to be in the eyeline of players trying to avoid the only non-red and non-black number.
Ultimately, 17 is a very prominent number in roulette because of where it sits on the wheel and table. However, many players have taken its prominence to mean that it can be a lucky number – and, given that there have been several historic, big wins on the number 17, it’s hardly surprising that people hold it in high regard! This goes for live casino roulette as much as digital versions (and the real deal).
In this guide, however, we’ll explore the history of the number 17 in roulette, check out some famous wins, and uncover the truth. Is the number 17 really lucky in roulette or other games? The short answer is, no one can be sure, but stick around for the explanation why.
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The history behind number 17
The number 17 is viewed as a lucky number both inside and outside the casino, with many people believing that it can relate to disorder and chaos. In fact, it’s thought that 17 streaks in roulette were first spotted in the 19th century, meaning that since then, it has been carefully watched by bettors.
However, there are also legends about the number 17 that relate to good and evil, with some claiming that it can be a symbol of peace and love, and others stating that it relates to sinfulness, or the rise of the Devil. Of course, like other numbers on the roulette wheel, there are many more interpretations of the number 17 that vary depending on personal and spiritual experiences.
In roulette, the number 17 has taken on a life of its own as a pocket that you either choose on purpose, or outright avoid. The rise of online casino gaming, with tables where you can track the numbers that have most recently appeared on the roulette wheel, have only helped to perpetuate 17 as a number that either comes up frequently, or rarely at all.
So, as far as the history behind the number 17 goes, legends, spiritual beliefs and superstitions have long positioned it as a number to be revered, whether or not you choose it as a lucky number, or intentionally avoid it because you think that it’s cursed!
Famous wins linked to number 17
There are more than a few big roulette wins connected to the number 17, which, of course, helps to keep the idea rolling that it’s a super-lucky pick. Two of the most notable roulette wins of all time, in fact, belong to two public figures.
Mike Ashley, the business mogul and CEO of Sports Direct, famously won a staggering £820,000 (€942,800) just by putting his faith in the number 17. In 2008, the businessman stacked up a series of bets that included the number 17, eventually resulting in him taking away short of €1m in cash.
However, the 17-based roulette wins certainly don’t stop there. Hollywood legend Sean Connery wasn’t just a casino-goer in the movies, but was also a keen punter on roulette. In the early 1960s, the actor took to an Italian casino and placed no more than five bets on the number 17, with only the last three converting – meaning that he won big on odds of around 50,000 to 1.
Connery reportedly won around £20,000, or almost €23,000, in 1963 money – today, that would be a princely £550,000, or €632,400, based on current inflation.
Naturally, these are just two incidents where the number 17 has won big for lucky punters – there could be many more. Connery here, in particular, was very lucky in that three of his five straight bets on 17 converted. Those are brave odds to go with, regardless of the stake!
Is number 17 really lucky?
There’s no definitive answer as to whether the number 17 is lucky or not, but for many players, it’s a favourite number that they’ve been able to spot coming up (or not appearing at all).
However, the number 17 has just as much chance as any other number of coming up lucky in roulette. It is one of 37 numbered pockets in the European game, and odds are generally set at around 35 to 1. Therefore, whether your favourite number is 1, 7, 17 or 27, they all have an equal shot at coming up lucky.
So, let’s recap. Some of the reasons why the number 17 still remains a lucky choice for roulette players include:
- The fact that it’s been revered and feared for so long across history.
- Its prominence in the middle of the roulette wheel and table.
- The fact that it contains the number 7, another number widely regarded as lucky.
- It is frequently observed in spiritual texts as a number with great power.
The bottom line is that although the number 17 can appear lucky in roulette, probability dictates that this technically isn’t the case. Naturally, this doesn’t mean that you have to stop believing in it – just make sure to play responsibly, avoid chasing streaks, and ask the Tonybet team for help with your betting activities if you need us.
The psychology of favourite numbers in roulette
Most people, it could be argued, have a favourite number, whether or not they choose one outright. You may well have one or two of your own – numbers that frequently appear in your life whether or not you feel that they are lucky.
The psychology behind favourite numbers is truly fascinating. For the most part, it’s all about reinforcement and confirmation bias. With access to roulette results histories, for example, if you have a lucky number, you’ll probably be watching for how often it has appeared (or not). Plus, we all look for patterns in life – it’s how our brains work, because we survive on understanding precedents!
What’s more, we all love to keep control. With lucky numbers, we think that we are able to steer games such as roulette in the right direction, though given the game’s completely random setup, that is never going to be the case. Think about all the things you do in everyday life to try to maintain order and routine. The same applies to the numbers you pick in roulette and other games!
However, if you want to avoid picking the same lucky numbers (such as 17) over and over again, there are a few things you can do to adjust your strategy when playing roulette:
- Set time or wagering limits to ensure that you step away and avoid chasing streaks.
- Avoid checking number histories where you can and go with your gut.
- Try to switch your attention to different bets, such as red/black.
- Acknowledge where you might start seeing patterns in the game.
- Try using a betting system or strategy if you feel comfortable doing so, but again, don’t assume that you will be guaranteed wins.
Above all, it’s healthiest to try to keep an open mind when playing roulette. The tables we host here at Tonybet, both digital and live dealer, are all completely random and verified as fair play. This means that there is no way to control your luck – it’s all on the spin of the wheel!
Check out roulette games at Tonybet now and see what numbers come up!
