February 11, 2009 4:36 PM
- Text
Will 7/7/07 Be Your Lucky Day?
(AP)
With apologies to Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry, this Saturday you've got to ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?"
Lots of people do, for one simple reason. Saturday will be July 7, 2007, or 7-7-07. In numerological terms, that's about as big as it gets for the superstitious.
People are booking gambling junkets, casinos are offering "7"-themed promotions, and about three times the normal number of couples plan to get married that day, including Eva Longoria and basketball player-boyfriend Tony Parker.
Las Vegas resident Scott Celestino, a Harrah's Entertainment Inc. employee, took out a license plate "3SEVENS" when he got engaged to co-worker Svetlana Vaysman two years ago. Their ages are seven years apart, and she arrived in 1992 from Russia on July 7.
"This has just been kind of lucky for both of us since we moved here," Celestino said.
Nearly 100 couples will tie the knot atop roller coasters or inside revolving teacups at amusement parks at 7 that morning, a California yogi plans to achieve massive harmony through gong meditation at 7 that night, and Christians will gather in a Tennessee football stadium to pray on a day that has good Biblical implications for many.
Experts are quick to point out that Saturday is no more or less likely to be lucky than any other day. But try telling that to Allen Windrim, a 20-something entrepreneur from Philadelphia who owns a real estate management firm, a collection agency and a construction company.
"Hopefully I can get all my vacancies filled that day, all my collection cases settled without going to court, and get seven jobs for the construction company worth $70,000 each," he said.
"And then I'll take all that money and put it on No. 7," he said. "I'm definitely in Atlantic City that day."
Casinos across the country are rolling heavy doses of sevens to attract superstitious gamblers, everything from $7 drink specials to luxury watches selling for $777. The Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City is offering a $7,777 package that includes a bi-level suite, two tickets to a show and the spa, and dining and shopping credits.
Craps players — among the most superstitious gamblers — have been buzzing for weeks about Lucky 7 Day, said Mario DiGuiseppe, the Tropicana's vice president of casino operations.
Asked if he believes in luck or superstition, DiGuiseppe responded with the certainty of one who knows that the odds always favor the house.
"I believe in math," he said with a chuckle.
Math is no obstacle for William Mobley of Philadelphia, who plans to be in Atlantic City on Saturday.
"I got a feeling about that day," he said. "I'll win over $700. Everything will go people's way that day. At least hopefully mine."
Gambles of a different sort will take couples down the aisle. Kathleen Murray, deputy editor of The Knot — http://www.theknot.com/ — said 38,000 of the company's members are getting married that day, up from the normal 12,000 for a Saturday in July.
"This is a true phenomenon," she said. "I've never seen anything like this before. Seven has always been considered the luckiest number, and with three sevens in a row brides and grooms feel they're hitting the jackpot that day."
Lots of people do, for one simple reason. Saturday will be July 7, 2007, or 7-7-07. In numerological terms, that's about as big as it gets for the superstitious.
People are booking gambling junkets, casinos are offering "7"-themed promotions, and about three times the normal number of couples plan to get married that day, including Eva Longoria and basketball player-boyfriend Tony Parker.
Las Vegas resident Scott Celestino, a Harrah's Entertainment Inc. employee, took out a license plate "3SEVENS" when he got engaged to co-worker Svetlana Vaysman two years ago. Their ages are seven years apart, and she arrived in 1992 from Russia on July 7.
"This has just been kind of lucky for both of us since we moved here," Celestino said.
Nearly 100 couples will tie the knot atop roller coasters or inside revolving teacups at amusement parks at 7 that morning, a California yogi plans to achieve massive harmony through gong meditation at 7 that night, and Christians will gather in a Tennessee football stadium to pray on a day that has good Biblical implications for many.
Experts are quick to point out that Saturday is no more or less likely to be lucky than any other day. But try telling that to Allen Windrim, a 20-something entrepreneur from Philadelphia who owns a real estate management firm, a collection agency and a construction company.
"Hopefully I can get all my vacancies filled that day, all my collection cases settled without going to court, and get seven jobs for the construction company worth $70,000 each," he said.
"And then I'll take all that money and put it on No. 7," he said. "I'm definitely in Atlantic City that day."
Casinos across the country are rolling heavy doses of sevens to attract superstitious gamblers, everything from $7 drink specials to luxury watches selling for $777. The Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City is offering a $7,777 package that includes a bi-level suite, two tickets to a show and the spa, and dining and shopping credits.
Craps players — among the most superstitious gamblers — have been buzzing for weeks about Lucky 7 Day, said Mario DiGuiseppe, the Tropicana's vice president of casino operations.
Asked if he believes in luck or superstition, DiGuiseppe responded with the certainty of one who knows that the odds always favor the house.
"I believe in math," he said with a chuckle.
Math is no obstacle for William Mobley of Philadelphia, who plans to be in Atlantic City on Saturday.
"I got a feeling about that day," he said. "I'll win over $700. Everything will go people's way that day. At least hopefully mine."
Gambles of a different sort will take couples down the aisle. Kathleen Murray, deputy editor of The Knot — http://www.theknot.com/ — said 38,000 of the company's members are getting married that day, up from the normal 12,000 for a Saturday in July.
"This is a true phenomenon," she said. "I've never seen anything like this before. Seven has always been considered the luckiest number, and with three sevens in a row brides and grooms feel they're hitting the jackpot that day."
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