To Kansas University basketball fans, whether the Jayhawks win or lose depends on how they watch the game.

Whether it is wearing a favorite shirt or getting the same seat at a sports bar, fans stick to their game-day rituals, hoping for a victory.

KU Bookstore employees Ashleigh Price, Wichita senior, and Judy McCarter, Lawrence resident, leave the room if a game starts to go badly for the Jayhawks.

McCarter’s friend made her a mask adorned with Jayhawks and the words “I Can’t Look.” McCarter dons the mask if the game’s a close one.

“I’ll leave, and if they start winning, I won’t come back.” Price said. “I will peek around the corner, though.”

On the other hand, co-worker Rose Lynn, of Lawrence, claims every time she watches Kansas on television, the Jayhawks win — although she admits that she does not have time to watch every game.

“We’ll make sure she starts watching them,” McCarter said.

Others try to manipulate technology for a dose of good luck.

“I used to think that if I watched every game on a different TV, it would help,” said Jack Angel, a Tonganoxie resident. “That year they won against some pretty good teams. The next year I watched every game on the same TV and they lost.”

Richard Stephens, Sterling senior, opts for the technology overload approach. For every game, he turns on both his television and radio.

“I want to know everything that is going on. Besides, (Jayhawk radio commentators) Bob (Davis) and Max (Falkenstien) do a better job than some of the guys on TV,” Stephens said.

In addition to his multimedia method, Stephens turns on red, white and blue lights for the games. He doesn’t think his system is foolproof, but said it worked well during last year’s tournament.

Individuals aren’t the only ones with game-day traditions.

Henry T’s Bar and Grill, 3520 W. Sixth St., has a rule that all employees must wear KU attire on game day.

“If they show up without it, we don’t send them home,” noted bar owner Sean Gerrity, “we just go across the street to Walgreens and buy them a shirt.”

The popular game-day spot also reserves seats for its regular customers who are superstitious about sitting in the same spot for every game. Gerrity said the customers did not have to ask anymore. The staff reserves the seats for them because they also believe it’s good luck.

For Wanda Westheffer, Lawrence resident, game-day superstitions are as simple as a little faith.

“I just believe they are going to win. I watch whether they win or lose.”\