For most players, black cats and broken mirrors are unlikely to be taken seriously. Nevertheless, gaming and superstition have always gone hand in hand. In fact, for some, staying on the right side of lucky is a must. Let's see if you recognise the greatest, and weirdest, superstitions from around the world!

Malaysia

DON'T SIT ON THE PILLOW

Legend has it that sitting on a pillow will lead to a behind covered in boils. So no matter how comfortable it looks, it's probably best to stay standing.

France

LEFT FOOT FORWARDS

It's hard to believe that stepping in dog poo could ever be anything other than part of a really bad day, but in France it's believed that stepping in dog poo with your left foot (only your left!) will signal good things to come.

Turkey

ZOMBIE GUM

Need minty fresh breath late at night? Well, whatever you do, don't reach for chewing gum! In one of the strangest superstitions of them all, some Turks believe that gum turns into human flesh after the stroke of midnight.

Portugal

THE DEVIL'S MOONWALK

Michael Jackson impersonators beware! In Portugal, walking backwards - the devil's walk - is believed to be a harbinger of doom and misery.

USA

BROOMSTUCK

Travel to the state of Vermont and you will notice a strange architectural feature on many of the region's older buildings - slanted windows. Legend has it that these were created to keep out witches, whose broomsticks could not fit through tilted window frames.

Uzbekistan

THE BIGGER THE BUG THE BETTER

Although almost always an unwanted guest in other parts of the world, in Uzbekistan cockroaches, at least those of a certain size, are welcomed with open arms. Big bugs are seen as a sign of wealth, so the largest specimens are usually allowed a special pass.

A HEAD FULL OF SALT

Spilt salt is said to bring about an argument within the household. The only way to prevent it? Pick the salt up and sprinkle it over your head.

South Korea

SEOULEATERS

Throwing your fingernails out the window will always attract looks of disgust, but in South Korea it gets another look entirely. It's believed that fingernails cast onto the street may be eaten by mice, who will, in turn, steal your soul.

SWINE DREAMS

Counting pigs instead of sheep to fall asleep is said to bring both good luck and wealth.

BRAIN FOOD

Eating sticky food before an exam is said to help with your memory - helping the facts 'stick' better in your brain.

China

BAD HAIR DAYS

It's thought that, during the first month of the Chinese calendar, a haircut will bring bad luck for the year to come. But, if you visit the hairdressers on the 2nd day of the 2nd month, then good fortune will be with you for the rest of the year.

TURTLE POWER

The Turtle has both positive and negative connotations in Chinese culture. But, those looking to succeed in business should think twice before keeping one as a pet, as the sluggish animal is believed to slow down business.

Germany

SAVE A SAILOR

Legend has it that a smoker who lights their cigarette from a candle, rather than a match, will cause a sailor to drown. Many sailors used to have a second job as matchmakers, which is where the myth is believed to have its foundations.

Italy

HATS ON HEADS NOT BEDS

Quite where the fear of placing your hat on a bed has come from remains unclear, but its prominence in a number of diverse cultures shows it clearly taps into some part of the human psyche. In Italy, it is thought to arise from the be-hatted doctors that would visit bed-ridden patients unlikely to ever recover.

HELLO MR SHEEP

If you come across a sheep on the road then you should always take the time to say hello - you might look like you've lost your mind, but legend has it your financial situation is sure to improve.

Argentina

CARLOS MENEM

The former Argentinian President is deemed so unlucky that people dare not speak his name. From lost national football matches to deceased tango composers and earthquakes, there isn't much Señor Innombrable hasn't been blamed for.

Egypt

THE POWER OF SCISSORS

Scissors play their part in several Egyptian superstitions. A pair underneath the pillow is said to bring good luck, but to open a pair without cutting anything is seen as a portent of misfortune.

Japan

COVER YOUR BELLYBUTTONS

During thunderstorms children are warned to cover their bellies to prevent Raijin, the God of Thunder, from making a light snack of their bellybuttons.

Hungary

HIDE THE CACTUS

Whilst in some cultures the positive Feng Shui of a slow-growing cactus is seen to bring harmony, that is not the case in Hungary, where bringing a cactus indoors is on a par with walking underneath a ladder.

BEERS, NO CHEERS

Whilst drinking it is welcomed, making a toast with beer is frowned upon in Hungary. Legend has it this harks back to the revolution of 1848, when the Austrians celebrated by clinking their beer glasses.

Denmark

BROKEN DISHES

Rather than throw away broken crockery, the Danes collect it to get ready for New Year's Day, when they will head over to the houses of their nearest and dearest to throw it at their door. It might be a pain to clear up, but it's seen as a sign of good luck for the year ahead.

Russia

A GIFT FROM ABOVE

It might not feel like it at the time, but being hit by bird poo is apparently a signal of good luck ahead, at least in Russia.

New Zealand

FANTAILS NOT WELCOME

The Maori believe that should this harmless-looking bird, called the Piwakawaka or New Zealand Fantail, enter the home, a death is soon to follow.

Madagascar

THE AYE-AYE

This nocturnal member of the lemur family may look scary, but is in fact totally harmless - and undeserving of its local association with death and despair.

Trinidad

DON'T PASS THE SAUCE

Hot pepper sauce should be placed in front of people, rather than passed directly to them. Handing it directly to them is believed to cause friction in your relationship.

Greece

SPILT COFFEE

If your coffee spills as it is being brought to you, good financial fortune is apparently not far behind. Hopefully, it will cover the price of another cup.

Romania

ALWAYS EAT YOUR CRUSTS

Struggling to get on with your mother-in-law? Eating the corners off a slice of bread will apparently help you get along just fine!

Caribbean

BAD BANANAS

Fishermen around the world avoid taking bananas onboard for fear it will ruin their catch. Nobody knows quite where this comes from - but some believe that during the 1700s the fast boats used for transporting fruit around the Caribbean would scare away the fish.