If you're playing bingo, you probably know all about lucky numbers. Perhaps you're hoping that your anniversary or birthday numbers pop up and give you the extra luck you need to win a full house. In lots of other countries around the world, there are lucky numbers that the entire population believes in, for reasons that go far beyond the personal. If you end up playing some free bingo in another part of the world, here are the lucky numbers to look out for. 

China: 8

The number eight, known to fans of bingo lingo as 'garden gate', is considered across China to be the luckiest number in the world. The pronunciation of the number in Mandarin sounds similar to the word for 'fortune' or 'wealth', which is why Chinese bingo players are bound to feel a rush of excitement whenever it appears on their bingo card. When China hosted the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, they made sure that the games commenced at eight minutes past eight on the eighth of August (the eighth month), which might explain why they took home the most gold medals that year. This number's auspicious powers also help explain why a buyer in Hong Kong paid a record $2.3 million for a license plate bearing the numbers '888' back in 2016. 

Germany: 4

In Germany, it is number four, known as 'Knock at the Door' in bingo slang, which is the luckiest number. The exact reasons for this are unknown, but the oldest known source for this nugget of information comes from Juergen Buchsteiner, a German scholar from the 17th century who compiled a vast chronicle of German superstitions. To this day, Germanys keep the number four close to their hearts, often wearing it on jerseys or as a neck pendant. It's also the reason why four-leaf clovers are a surprisingly prominent part of visual culture in Germany. Keep this in mind should you ever find yourself in the country. 

Malta: 7

The number seven is considered to be one of the luckiest numbers across the western world and is a mainstay on casino floors in the United States of America. However, one country which holds the number on a unique level of high regard is the tiny Mediterranean island state of Malta. Part of this is due to Malta's long history as a hub of Christian culture, wherein people subscribe to the belief that the world was created in seven days. You'll find the number seven engraved across churches, altars, monuments, and doorways in Malta, a legacy of centuries of hoping that it will bring them luck throughout the most trying times. 

Sweden: 3

While free bingo fanatics might closely associate the number three with the phrase 'cup of tea', in Sweden they have a different saying about it. The well-worn phrase 'all good things come in threes' is originally a Swedish one, owing to the centuries-old belief that three is the number of peace, fortune, and stability. For most Swedes today, the number three represents total perfection and harmony. This belief even trickles down into areas such as design, where you'll find many architectural works in the country have been structured around elements being in groups of three.

Japan: 7

Whilst the number eight is also considered to be a very lucky one in Japan (and Korea), the number seven holds an even greater position of importance in Japanese culture. This is in part due to the central importance of the number seven in the Buddhist faith, which posits that there are 'seven factors to awakening', also known as the seven steps towards enlightenment. In Japan, there is also belief that there are seven gods of fortune and good luck, which is why you'll find the number emblazoned across scratchcards and lottery tickets in this notoriously gambling-enthusiast country. In addition, the 7th of July happens to be one of the most important public holidays in Japan. 

Russia: It depends

Russia is a country that is steeped in ancient superstitions, many of which are centred around numbers. There are countless fascinating cultural beliefs, but one of the most widely held is the notion that even numbers are unlucky, whilst odd numbers are harbingers of good fortune. One of the worst social faux pax you can make is to bring a Russian an odd number of flowers, as this is seen as equivalent to wishing death upon them. Always make sure your flower bunches come in an even number in Russia. The belief is so strong that if you ask for a dozen of something in Russia, say, eggs or cakes, you will most likely receive an odd number such as 11 or 13. 

These are some of the world's luckiest numbers, according to centuries of culture, tradition, and faith. If any of these ones appear on your next bingo card, whatever country you're in, you might be in for a lucky bingo jackpot.