From drinking some questionable fluids to bizarre pre-match rituals – sportspeople can be a superstitious bunch.
But do you have what it takes to become a table-topping champion and defeat this quiz on the rituals of the world’s best-loved sports stars?
The tricky test comes after four in ten sports fans admitted they're “superstitious” – wearing a pair of lucky socks, or sitting in a preferred seat at home or in the stadium, for critical sporting events.
Research into 2,000 people, who watch sport, revealed that 25% will carry out unusual rituals ahead of a game to help improve their luck for a good result.
Of these, when watching at home, 23% must sit in the same part of the sofa for any game, while 24% will kiss the badge of their beloved club or nation.
And to avoid cursing their favourite team, 22% will refuse to watch a match with specific people they deem “unlucky”.
During tournaments, 23% of superstitious sports fans even claim they won’t wash if results are going the right way.
A spokesman for OLBG.com, which created a quiz and commissioned the research, said: “Clearly the nation’s sport lovers are full of superstition.
“Fans are a passionate bunch and will do anything they can to give their side an edge, whether it’s got any basis in reality or not.
“For many, this is probably based in a feeling of frustration they can’t actually get on the field and help the team that way – so it makes them feel they’re doing something.”
When it comes to watching live sport, 22% will sit in the same “lucky” seat in the stadium, and the same percentage won’t wash a “lucky” item of clothing.
Another 18% will call on a higher power and say a prayer if they feel their team or favourite athlete needs a boost.
Overall, 58% of respondents believe in luck – both good and bad – and one in ten believe their favourite sports team or personality is generally unlucky.
Of those with sporting rituals, a whopping 91% genuinely believe the outcome of an event has been impacted by their pre-event ritual.
More than half (56%) have had a gut feeling in the past that their favourite performer was going to do the business.
And one in three (32%) “always” trust their gut feeling when it comes to the outcome of a sporting event, according to the OnePoll figures.
OLBG.com’s spokesman added: “Sports fans usually fall into a fatal trap when it comes to their own sides – overconfidence.
“Especially when it comes to things like putting a bet on a game, either as a single result or in an accumulator.
“Trusting your gut is great when it’s something you can be somewhat impartial towards – but sports lovers are often led by their heart, and not their head.”
TOP RITUALS SPORTS FANS HAVE DONE AHEAD OF A CRUNCH MATCH:
- Kissed the badge or emblem of your team
- Refused to wash for the duration of a tournament
- Sat in the same “lucky” spot to watch from home
- Avoided watching the event with specific, “unlucky” people
- Sat in the same “lucky” seat when watching from the stadium/venue
- Refused to wash your “lucky” item of clothing for the duration of the tournament
- Put on a specific sports shirt or jersey
- Put on a “lucky” pair of socks
- Said a prayer
- Eaten the same pre-match meal
- Put on a lucky bet
- Watched the event with specific “lucky” people
- Sang a specific chant
- Worn your lucky number
