Lucky number 7, who? Keep reading to find out what number wins the most, and why lucky numbers can be so significant.

The Most Called Bingo Number is…

49 has been officially crowned the luckiest number by Mecca Bingo, after winning call data from its clubs and online games revealed it to be the number that most frequently triggers a big prize.

Despite this, it seems old superstitions still reign, as number 7 has been revealed as Brits’ luckiest number with a quarter (25%) saying this is their number of choice. It’s followed by a controversial 13 in second, 3 at third, followed by 6 and 8. A quarter (25%) base their choice of lucky number on a significant memory, whilst 22% just like the way it sounds.

Interestingly, younger generations are more likely to base their fortuitous figure on cosmic meanings, compared to older generations (12% vs 2%). When it comes to playing bingo, half of Brits (45%) said that they’d make a winning jackpot number as their new favourite.

How Significant are Lucky Numbers?

But how, when, and where do lucky numbers come into play? An overwhelming 87% of Brits would use their lucky number as a pin or password, whilst half the nation (52%) admitted they’d go as far as buying a house just because their lucky digits were on the door. This increased to two thirds (67%) of those aged between 26-35; typically, the age of first-time home buyers. A fifth (20%) of Brits even said they’d name a pet after their lucky number.

More generally, three quarters (76%) of the nation believe in luck, with half (47%) stating they are superstitious. Women are more superstitious than men (55% vs 37%), whilst millennials (aged 26-35) are overwhelmingly more so than those over 66 years of age (61% vs 28%).

Over half (59%) of Brits will do things to either bring them good luck, or avoid bad luck, but a third (30%) say they have no idea where their habits come from.

When it comes to the superstitions Brits have to bring good luck, the top 10 are:

1. Having a lucky number (32%)
2. Finding a penny and picking it up (32%)
3. Crossing fingers (27%)
4. Seeing a shooting star (24%)
5. Having a good luck charm (24%)
6. Finding a white feather (20%)
7. Seeing a rainbow (19%)
8. Getting pooed on by a bird (17%)
9. Wishing on a wishbone (17%)
10. Certain times, such as 11:11 (16%)

Whilst the top 10 superstitions Brits have and try to avoid bad luck include:

1. Smashing a mirror (43%)
2. Walking under a ladder (37%)
3. Opening an umbrella indoors (32%)
4. Putting new shoes on a table (24%)
5. Forgetting to knock on wood (21%)
6. Not saluting a magpie (19%)
7. Passing on the stairs (17%)
8. Not throwing spilt salt over the shoulder (17%)
9. Spotting a black cat crossing a path (13%)
10. Walking over three drains (13%)

Expert Insights from a Psychologist

Lee Chambers, expert psychologist, shares insight as to why Brits 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.”

What We Think at Mecca

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!”

Brits can try their luck at Mecca Bingo clubs nationwide and online at www.meccabingo.com.