Luck Helps When You're "Taking It Off"

As you clean out your closet to gather some clothing donations for the "Taking It Off For Charity" Poker Tournament, it couldn't hurt to dig out those lucky socks or that lucky pair of underwear to wear tonight.

At its core, poker is a game of logic and skill. Players make rational, well-informed decisions based on the rules of probability. But even the most talented poker players recognize that there's more to the game than just numbers.

Phil Hellmuth Jr., an 11 time World Series of Poker winner made even more famous by his attitude at the table, said, "I guess if there weren't luck involved, I'd win every time."

Maybe he was just bitter about a losing streak, or maybe he was on to something...

We're trying to give you all the help that we can, so before you get ready to take it off, consider these poker superstitions that might make or break your game:

Don't start the game off on the wrong foot by picking up your cards before the dealer is finished dealing to all of the active players. It makes sense - if the other players don't yet have cards to look at, they'll be looking at you and judging your reaction.

Unfortunately for you lefties out there, doing things with the left hand always seems to be wrong for some reason or another. In poker, some people believe it's bad luck to pick up your cards with your left hand. It may seem silly, but do you really want to risk it?

It's considered a bad sign if you accidentally drop a card while playing. Other than people possibly getting a glimpse of your goods, it shows a lack of concentration and losing concentration in poker doesn't usually lead to a win.

For good luck, touch your favorite card before playing starts.  Bring your lucky charms, too, because you'll be playing against the contest winners Kimberly Wootton, Nicole Vassilatos, Chastity Marylee, Monica Lopez and Natalia Rodriguez, who won free VIP passes (so we already know that they're pretty lucky)!

You'll be helping the wonderful people at St. Francis House, so you really shouldn't fret too much if Lady Luck isn't on your side. After all, "unlucky in poker, lucky in love," right? And Valentine's Day is just around the corner...