Lucky Breaks – The UK’s Favourite Superstitions Revealed

From touching wood before a big decision to wearing the same “lucky” underwear more than once, many Brits still rely on rituals when they want fortune on their side.

New research commissioned by tombola arcade reveals that almost two-thirds of UK adults (62%) have done something they consider "extreme" in an attempt to improve their luck. That includes avoiding a shower or bath for several days, changing their route to an important event and refusing to throw away a supposedly lucky possession.

More traditional rituals remain popular too. Touching wood is practised by almost two in five adults (38%), closely followed by crossing fingers at 37%. Meanwhile, job interviews are the moment Brits most want luck on their side, selected by 29% of respondents.

The study surveyed 2,000 UK adults explores the situations in which people look for a lucky break, the rituals they rely on and how superstitions vary between generations and locations.

Where do Brits want luck the most?

From career opportunities to major health concerns, Brits are most likely to want luck on their side when facing situations where the outcome feels uncertain or beyond their control.

Job interviews top the list, with around 3 in 10 adults (29%) saying they want a little extra luck when trying to secure a new role.

Waiting for medical test results closely follows at just under 3 in 10 adults (28%), suggesting people are likely to turn to luck during high-pressure moments that could significantly affect their future.

Buying a new home is another occasion when Brits hope fortune will favour them, selected by around 1 in 5 adults (19%). Holiday departures and airport travel days follow at 18%, showing that people also want luck on their side during leisurely moments.

Top 10 moments Brits need luck the most

1.    Job interview – 29%
2.    Waiting for medical tests – 28%
3.    Buying a new home – 19%
4.    Holiday / airport travel day – 18%
5.    Starting a new job – 16%
6.    Watching your football team – 13%
7.    Taking an important exam – 12%
8.    Driving test – 11%
9.    Asking someone out on a date – 11%
10.  Wedding day – 11%

Certain superstitions are especially common among women, as around 1 in 5 women (19%) said they had saluted a magpie to ward off bad luck, compared with 1 in 10 men (10%), just under twice as many.

While the rituals may differ, the motivation behind them is often similar. Small actions such as crossing fingers or touching wood can provide reassurance when people are faced with uncertainty, helping them feel that they have done something, however symbolic, to encourage a positive outcome.

How do luck, superstition and rituals vary across the UK?

Respondents in Belfast were the most likely to describe themselves as lucky, at 78%, compared with 32% of respondents in Newcastle. Birmingham (59%), Manchester (58%), and London (57%) complete the top five ‘luckiest’ cities in the UK.

Those in London were the most likely to want good luck in a job interview at 34%.

Respondents in Manchester were approximately three times as likely as those in Edinburgh to want luck on an airport travel day, at 30% and 11% respectively.

Respondents in Cardiff were the most likely to say they had saluted a magpie for good luck, at 27%, compared with 12% of respondents in London.
Around 1 in 5 respondents (19%) from Birmingham said they had refused to shower for several days or re-worn lucky underwear in an attempt to influence luck.

At the opposite end of the scale, more than half of respondents in Liverpool (55%) said they had never gone to any ‘extreme’ lengths in an attempt to influence their luck.

Why do we look for signs, fate and coincidence before big decisions?

When the outcome of an important moment feels uncertain, a lucky ritual may provide a welcome sense of control. This could explain why Brits are most likely to want extra luck during big life moments and high pressure events.

Dennis Relojo-Howell, managing director of Psychreg explains: “High pressure moments strip away our sense of control, and superstition offers a way to feel like we're doing something, even when the outcome is genuinely out of our hands. It's less about magical thinking and more about managing anxiety.”

Believing in luck may also influence how confidently we approach these moments. While it cannot change an outcome directly, feeling fortunate could help someone appear calmer and more composed.

Dennis adds: “Believing you're lucky often works like a placebo for confidence. If you walk into an interview or a test convinced things tend to go your way, you're likely to appear calmer and more composed, which can genuinely shape how others respond to you.”

Traditional rituals such as touching wood and crossing fingers have also survived because they are simple, familiar and reassuring, as Dennis explains: “Because they're shared culturally, they also connect us to something familiar, even in a society that's otherwise become quite secular and rational.”

What does the study reveal about luck and superstition in the UK?

The findings show that luck and superstition still influence how many people approach uncertain or important moments. Job interviews are the occasion when UK adults most want luck on their side, while touching wood and crossing fingers remain the most common good-luck rituals.
A lucky ritual may not change what happens next, but it can help people feel reassured when the outcome is uncertain. For many, that sense of familiarity and confidence is what keeps the hope of a lucky break alive.