Jules Dassin and his luck

On the Criterion DVD of his film Rififi, Jules Dassin talks of extraordinary luck in his film making career. A notable time was in Cannes. He was there with his wife. They were almost broke after Dassin was blacklisted by HUAC (see Jules Dassin and the Hollywood Blacklist). The producer and Dassin were in a casino. Dassin didn't have any money of his own and begged for some from his friend. "What day did we start filming?", Dassin asked. The producer replied "On the 18th". Dassin put all the money he had been given on the number 18. He won and lived for several months on that money.