Have you ever been to a casino with your pockets full of chips and eyes full of dollar signs only to feel a chill run down your spine just as you placed your first bet? What was that? Was it the climate control set to freezing to keep players awake? Did a drunk casino patron spill their icey drink? Or was it entirely something else? Something unnatural.
Do you know the real history of your favorite casino games? Who was the first to play blackjack? Who invented the roulette wheel? Why are there so many rules in craps? These aren’t just random games of chance or games designed by the devil. They are games born and bred in eerie folklore, chilling legends, and spooky coincidences, all intended to promote the game to the most superstitious of us. After discovering the origins of your favorite casino games, you might rub that rabbit’s foot a little extra before placing your next bet.
The Spooky Origins of Your Favorite Casino Games
We are taking a closer look at the spooky origin stories of your favorite casino games. These tales of cursed cards and demonic dealers have been passed down through generations of gamblers and gambling prohibitionists alike in an attempt to scare newcomers. With each retelling, another layer of mystery was added to our favorite casino games until the myth became the legend, and legend became history. Before you continue you may need your favorite lucky charm close at hand.
1. Roulette – The Devil’s Wheel
Have you ever noticed that the numbers on a roulette wheel add up to 666? It’s true, and it’s why many believe the game is cursed. Some say the wheel represents the cyclical nature of temptation, sin, and redemption, while superstitious players swear they’ve seen the devil’s face reflected in the shiny chrome of the wheel. The spooky roulette origin story says Blaise Pascal, the 17th-century mathematician who invented roulette, made a deal with the devil himself. Pascal’s goal was to create a perpetual motion machine, but somehow, he ended up with the infamous “Devil’s Wheel.”
The legend goes that Pascal’s fascination with the impossible drove him into the supernatural. The wheel became a symbol of eternity, not just mathematically but in a darker sense too. Gamblers whispered that each spin wasn’t just a bet on money—it was a bet with fate.
In truth, roulette is a result of Blaise Pascal’s failed attempt at perpetual motion, a project driven by his relentless scientific curiosity. He didn’t make a deal with the devil, but he did manage to create one of the most captivating gambling experiences in history. In fact, the name “roulette” is French for “little wheel,” which is a lot less scary than “Satan’s Spinner.”
Over time, the game evolved, incorporating elements from older European games like “Roly-Poly” and “Even-Odd.” As it spread, so did its eerie mystique, culminating in the image of a wheel whose very numbers seemed like a mocking nod from the devil—pure coincidence, yet chilling all the same.
2. Blackjack – The Phantom Dealer
There’s an old tale about a blackjack dealer who tried to cheat his players. The story says that he didn’t realize one of them was connected to the mob, an almost unforgivable mistake. The dealer was found out and sent swimming with the fishes before he could explain himself. Now, gamblers claim his spirit haunts blackjack tables from Vegas to Macau. Ever since, blackjack players from far and wide say the cards sometimes seem to move on their own, as though a ghostly hand is making sure no one else tries to pull a fast one.
But wait, it gets even spookier. Legend says Pluto, the Roman god of the dead (not Mickey’s dog!), got bored and invented a game of chance to keep souls busy in the underworld. If you hit 21, you might win your freedom. If you go over… well, back to square one, sucker! The term “blackjack” was rumored to be the spectral executioner’s tool, ready to strike down those who failed.
The truth behind blackjack’s origins isn’t nearly as sinister. Blackjack evolved from a Spanish game called “Veintiuna” (that’s “twenty-one” for you non-Spanish speakers). It gained popularity in French casinos as “Vingt-et-Un” in the 17th and 18th centuries. The name “blackjack” comes from a special bonus in the early American version of the game.
The game spread like wildfire through America, especially in the 1800s, particularly in New Orleans. It was here that the rules we know today, including the dealer standing on 17, really took shape. No souls were wagered in the making of this game – just a whole lot of cash.
3. Baccarat – The Forbidden Ritual
Baccarat is rumored to have started as an ancient Etruscan ritual in which nine gods presided over the roll of a nine-sided die that determined a young maiden’s fate. A roll of eight or nine would let her live; anything less, and she was doomed to the hellfires of eternal damnation. Now that’s a house edge everyone should avoid. The game’s eerie connection to fate and the sacred number nine still lingers in whispers around baccarat tables today.
Baccarat has always been tied to high stakes, but this legend makes the stakes truly existential. Players today may bet money, but back then, it was lives on the line—at least, that’s how the story goes.
In reality, baccarat started in Italy in the 15th century. It was called “baccara,” meaning zero, after the value of the face cards in the game. From there, it traveled to France, where it became a favorite of King Charles VIII and the French nobility. This association with royalty and exclusivity created an aura of otherworldliness among the population, further adding to the legend of Bacarrat.
4. Poker – The Outlaw’s Curse
One of the most famous spooky casino game origin stories is the tale of the “Dead Man’s Hand.” The story goes that while playing a poker game, Wild Bill Hickok was holding two black aces and two black eights when he was shot in the back. Since then, this combination has been considered cursed. Players who draw the hand sometimes feel a cold shiver, as though Wild Bill’s ghost is watching over their shoulder.
True or not, this legendary story captures the essence of poker—raising the stakes, bluffing, betrayal, and the ultimate gamble. It’s more than just cards. It’s about not trusting the wrong person and paying the ultimate price. The infamous “poker face” was developed to fool not just other players but supernatural opponents who could read minds. The “river” card supposedly represents the River Styx, the legendary boundary between this realm and the next.
Poker’s true story is far less dramatic while equally fascinating. It’s a blend of several European games brought to the new world where it found its identity in America’s frontier. Cowboys, riverboat gamblers, and outlaws took over from there, making poker synonymous with risk, reward, and the Wild West.
The lawlessness of the 1800s and the dangerous characters who played poker helped turn a simple card game into a legendary encounter with fate. Thus the “Dead Man’s Hand” became a part of poker history, forever linking the game with the idea of a high-stakes gamble that could end in death.
5. Craps – The Soldier’s Gambit
Legend has it that craps dates back to Roman soldiers who used pig knuckles as dice. They’d roll them to pass the time, sometimes betting on life-or-death outcomes. It’s said that the dice became cursed after too many soldiers wagered and lost their lives, and now anyone who plays is rolling against fate.
Fast forward to medieval times when gravediggers supposedly took up the game but instead of using pig bones, they used actual bones from the graves they dug. Rolling “snake eyes” was seen as an omen of death. After all, what’s creepier than a pair of black eyes staring up at you from the table? The “come out” roll was said to represent the soul’s journey from the body.
Craps actually evolved from an English game called “Hazard.” French settlers brought it to America, where it became known as craps. It was especially popular among soldiers during World War II, who played it in makeshift street games.
The game’s connection with soldiers has a ring of truth. Craps is the most social casino game and was a favorite pastime during times of war, bringing a bit of excitement to otherwise grim days. The legend of the cursed dice only added to the game’s allure, giving players a sense of danger beyond the roll. The story of gravediggers using real human bones to play craps is mostly an urban legend.
6. Keno – The Emperor’s Curse
The legend of Keno tells of an ancient Chinese emperor who created the game to raise funds for his army during a prolonged war. It’s said that the souls of those who died in the war now haunt Keno draws, trying to reclaim the fortunes lost in their name. Players sometimes swear they hear whispers when their numbers are drawn as if the spirits are still playing along.
Keno draws are random, but some insist there’s an unseen hand at play, perhaps one belonging to a long-forgotten warrior whose fate was sealed by a game of chance.
In truth, Keno was invented over 2,000 years ago in China to raise money for public projects like the Great Wall. It was known as “baige piao,” or “white pigeon ticket,” with results even delivered by pigeons.
The game eventually found its way to the U.S., evolving into the Keno we know today. The spooky tales add an edge to what is, at its core, a simple numbers game designed to raise funds, not spirits.
Conclusion: A Haunted Legacy at the Tables
Casino games are thrilling enough on their own. However, once you hear the spooky origin stories of your favorite games, they are forever linked. Whether it’s the devil’s number on the roulette wheel, the ghostly dealer at the blackjack table or the ancient warriors haunting Keno draws, these stories remind us that every gamble has a history, and sometimes, that history is haunted.
These legends add a chilling allure to the excitement of gambling. The mixture of luck, skill, superstition, and a touch of the supernatural creates an atmosphere unlike any other. Next time you find yourself at a casino, look around, and maybe you’ll feel that ghostly chill or hear a devilish whisper. Remember, sometimes, it’s not just the eye in the sky watching.
