What is the gambler's fallacy in gambling?
The short answer
The false belief that independent results are "due" to even out — that past losses, wins, or streaks change the odds of the next outcome.
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In plain English
A coin that landed heads five times in a row is not "due" for tails — the next flip is still 50/50. Games do not remember your last bet.
What to remember about Gambler's Fallacy
The definition
The false belief that independent results are "due" to even out — that past losses, wins, or streaks change the odds of the next outcome.
In plain English
A coin that landed heads five times in a row is not "due" for tails — the next flip is still 50/50. Games do not remember your last bet.
Example in context
After four straight losses, betting bigger because a win "has to be coming" is the gambler's fallacy. Each game settles on its own; your record does not move the odds.
Questions about Gambler's Fallacy
- What is the gambler's fallacy in gambling?
- The false belief that independent results are "due" to even out — that past losses, wins, or streaks change the odds of the next outcome.
- What does gambler's fallacy mean in plain English?
- A coin that landed heads five times in a row is not "due" for tails — the next flip is still 50/50. Games do not remember your last bet.
- Can you give an example of gambler's fallacy?
- After four straight losses, betting bigger because a win "has to be coming" is the gambler's fallacy. Each game settles on its own; your record does not move the odds.
Check yourself
Term quiz
Check yourself: Gambler's Fallacy
1.The gambler's fallacy is the belief that…
2.Four heads in a row on a fair coin happens about how often, and what are the odds of heads on the fifth flip?
3.After four straight losses at -110, what win rate does your next -110 bet need to break even?
Keep learning
Explore the next question before you place a bet.
- What does chasing mean in gambling?
- What does tilt mean in gambling?
- What is a bad beat in sports betting?
- What is an arbitrage / arb in sports betting?
- What is CLV (closing line value) in sports betting?
- What is a contrarian in sports betting?
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