So, do you feel extra lucky today?

Article published Jul 7, 2007
So, do you feel extra lucky today?
By Gerald Ensley
DEMOCRAT SENIOR WRITER

Brides and grooms are marching to the altar. The faithful are praying. Gamblers are making the lottery machines and card tables hum.
Today is the seventh day of the seventh month in the year 2007: 7-7-7. It's a triple dose of a number many consider lucky.
So people all over the nation are grabbing for a bit of that luck. Casinos from Biloxi to Las Vegas will be packed. More than 100,000 people are expected to gather in Nashville for a prayer vigil that climaxes 40 days of fasting and praying. An estimated 38,000 couples nationwide are expected to marry today, which is three times the number of weddings typically held on the first Saturday in July.
"(Couples) hope if they have their wedding on this day, their foundation will start with an extra push of luck," said Tallahassee wedding planner Kenya Washington. "Given the divorce rate, we can all use all the good luck we can get."
The number seven pops up all through history, religion, astronomy, mythology and more. God created the world in seven days. Christians learn of the seven deadly sins, and Hinduism celebrates the seven chakras of energy in the body. There are seven seas, seven continents and Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. There are seven colors in a rainbow and seven stars in the Big Dipper. Seven is the number most frequently rolled with two dice, and 7-7-7 is a standard winning pull on a slot machine.
Some gather to pray
Many local residents are making the trip to Nashville for The Call, which is part of religious leader Lou Engle's national prayer movement. Others will gather at a local church to watch a broadcast. The nondenominational event is a call for God's mercy upon the U.S. and its troubles, including war, poverty and crime.
The preceding 40-day fast (involving everything from favorite foods to television) is a reaction to the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love in San Francisco. Its climax today owes to religious connections to seven, including 2 Chronicles 7:14, in which God promises those who "humble themselves and pray" that he will "heal their land."
"Seven is a very important number biblically, as it means completion or bringing to fruition something that is called," said Jo Anne Arnett, prayer coordinator of Tallahassee's Center for Biblical Studies. "Many believe our nation's founding was called by God. We're asking God to bring to fruition the things he has planned for us."
Others will be seeking good fortune for their marriage. Though no one has an official figure, there are clearly more weddings than usual in Tallahassee today. Donna Smithey's tents-and-tables company is furnishing six weddings: "Everyone told me they chose (today) because of the date." Wedding planner Fran Poppell is directing one wedding and had to turn down several others: "I don't usually have to say 'Get in line' for a particular date."
Washington said any memorable calendar date produces a higher-than-usual number of weddings, "first and foremost so the husband will remember it." But she said the 7-7-7 date has sparked more weddings with seven-inspired themes: bouquets of seven flowers; seven bridesmaids; weddings starting at 7:07 p.m.
Lottery may sell out
Florida Lottery players are flocking to buy 7-7-7 tickets for the daily Cash 3 game drawing, whose top prize is $500. Lottery spokeswoman Jackie Barreiros said 7-7-7 has been the highest or second-highest combination played every day this week. For financial reasons, the Lottery caps sales at 20,000 tickets for any single three-digit combination. As of Friday afternoon, sales for Friday and Saturday's Cash 3 drawings were nearing the cap.
"(Seven) has such strong, positive connotations, I wouldn't be surprised if we sell out," Barreiros said.
Business also is expected to be booming at the Jefferson County Kennel Club card room. That's where several versions of seven-card stud are played, including the popular Texas Hold 'Em. Monday, state law permitted card rooms to raise their betting limits to a maximum $100 - which may pay dividends today for superstitious players.
"Anytime they see (a pair of sevens on the deal)," said John Lyons, the JCKC card room manager, "I suspect they'll push all in."