They exist to make your dice rolls great or terrible exactly when you need them to be. Case and point: We were wrapping up the Pathfinder campaign, killed the prince of demons and were getting ready to start the next campaign. We turn towards the DM and as a party ask what happens with the demon's power. He has us roll for it. I'm playing a Gunslinger who wants to be emperor. My friend is a witch, and my other friend is a cavalier; they have less grand motivations. Witch rolls up: its a 1. Friend rolls up: its a 1. I roll my dice, just let it flow on the table: 20. End result? I absorbed the power of the Prince of Demons, with no consequences to my personality or moral compass. The Dice Gods smiled upon my character that day. Praise be upon them. This is why you never let people touch your dice.
Considering the article. If all that they're saying is that it gives you confidence then that's all I really need to say 'Ok, that's good then' :)
When I was in high school I played baseball and I was a pitcher. Before every pitch I said the words "fudge factory". I had been warming up with my catcher prior to a game and made some joke (I forget the details) and the punch line had to do with the phrase "fudge factory", after the joke I was throwing strikes. Therefore, after that I always said "fudge factory" before every pitch. Before take off and landing on a plane I make the sign of the cross. I'm not religious but I recall my mom doing it when I was a kid and since then I've always done it and I'm too superstitious to quit. I know that all of these things are ridiculous. I know they are! To say that they bring me comfort would be a lie but to not do them would certainly make me feel uncomfortable. Better safe than sorry, I guess. Again, don't need to hear about how irrational it is. I know, I know. How about you sounds_sound, any superstitions? Anyone else have any irrational habits?
Me? Now that I think on it, I can't say I have any superstitions at all. In fact, I have intentionally chosen to walk under a ladder before just to thumb my nose at superstitions. I will say though, that if I had a choice between buying an apartment on the 13th floor or the 15th, it'd be the 15th everytime.