# Bad luck comes in Threes **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 13, 2026, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320 "2026-08-13T00:38:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320/1 "2026-08-13T00:38:41Z")
Granny always said it. First dehumidifier goes out. Got conned into a fancy schmancy new one. (I wasn’t present at the purchase, dang it Son-of-a-wrek) Today my well pump ain’t acting right. I see a new jacuzzi in my future, not the fun kind. What next? IRS audit? Abscessed molar? Ninjas knocking on the door? Yep. That 3x stuff will eat your lunch. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320/2 "2026-08-13T00:42:46Z")
What’s your signature line again…? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320/3 "2026-08-13T00:44:24Z")
Yeah. I know. I think I brought it down on my own head. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320/4 "2026-08-13T03:06:01Z")
If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320/5 "2026-08-13T03:10:27Z")
Everything comes in threes, or sometimes fours. Or elevens. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320/6 "2026-08-13T03:15:15Z")
I’m going with 7s. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320/7 "2026-08-13T15:22:47Z")
Unlucky for me; #3 has occured. 😱 ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320/8 "2026-08-13T16:36:15Z")
That just means you start counting again. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320/9 "2026-08-13T16:39:23Z")
Don’t count in Base 3 — 1, 2, **10**!! ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320/10 "2026-08-13T16:43:30Z")
Three, sir. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320/11 "2026-08-13T16:50:16Z")
::snerk:: 👍👍 ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320/12 "2026-08-13T17:26:18Z")
Five is right out. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320/13 "2026-08-13T22:18:37Z")
Five would kill me right off. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2026, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320/14 "2026-08-14T12:47:54Z")
1. About a month ago, we had lightning hit a tree next to our house. It took out about $600 of electronics and office equipment. Just replaced the last item yesterday. 2. About three weeks ago, we found a leak in the water supply to our refrigerator. We’re about 1/3 of the way through drywall repair, floor replacement, and cabinet repairs. Kitchen is basically useless for 5 to 6 weeks. Estimates are about $20K. 3. We remain apprehensive. ---
**Author:** ![pirviii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pirviii/32/3233_2.png) [@pirviii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pirviii)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2026, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320/15 "2026-08-14T14:51:32Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Everything comes in threes, or sometimes fours. Or elevens. Remember, the fourth one is just the beginning of another set of three. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2026, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320/16 "2026-08-14T16:47:52Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > 1. About three weeks ago, we found a leak in the water supply to our refrigerator. That has happened to me twice in my life. I no longer connect a water supply to my refrigerator. The miniscule number of times I use ice is totally not worth the risk of a leak. Also, since it’s happened to me twice, this thread has convinced me that it would inevitably happen a third time. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2026, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320/17 "2026-08-15T01:02:08Z")
Just had air conditioner repaired. Three things replaced. First the compressor had leaked and some part had to be replaced. It had leaked all over a relay and that relay was not working right, second thing, it had to be replaced. Then, independently, the thermostat was not working right and I had him replace it, the third thing. He took three hours, one, two three hours. Cost just over $1000. But at least we now have air conditioning. Now I just have to get rid of the flies that came in because I left the door to the balcony open to get some air. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2026, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-luck-comes-in-threes/1032320/18 "2026-08-15T01:40:51Z")
You could count flies coming in. Or dying 1,2,3. I’ve already started on a new list: #1. Nearly went comotose over night. Saved in the nick of time. woo-hoo