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Study finds coin flips aren’t 50/50 after scientists toss over 350,000 coins
Flipping a coin seems like the ultimate way of fairly picking between two choices but according to a recent scientific study, coin flips arent 50/50.
The practice of flipping a coin is one that dates back to the Roman Empire, when it was known as heads or ships, and it is commonly used to this day as a way of deciding – seemingly randomly – between two options. It’s often seen at sports fixtures to decide which team will kick off or play first and was even used to choose which of the Wright Brothers would attempt the first flight in 1903.
Study finds coin flips arent 50/50
In 2007, Persi Diaconis – who is both a Stanford University professor and magician – conducted a study into coin flips with two fellow researchers and found that there was a 51% chance the coin would land on the same side that was facing upwards when it was flipped.
A more recent study conducted in 2023 by a group of 50 researchers from institutions across Europe backed up Diaconiss findings.
As part of the study, scientists carried out a whopping 350,757 coin flips using 46 different currencies and found that the coins would land same-side-up 50.8% of the time.
While this is incredibly close to being 50/50, the research confirms that flipping a coin isnt as equal as weve all been led to believe.
Referencing the earlier study, the researchers said: According to the D-H-M model, precession (or wobble) causes the coin to spend more time in the air with the initial side facing up. Consequently, the coin has a higher chance of landing on the same side as it started.
How to tip the odds in your favor
Many people often have their preferred choice of side in a coin flip and will choose heads or tails every time while others are a bit less superstitious.
But what the scientific research suggests is that you should aim to pick whichever side is facing up before the coin is flipped.
However, the study noted that a way to combat this is to hide the coin from view before flipping it so that there isnt the opportunity for someone to decide based on which side of the coin is facing upwards.
“When coin flips are used for high-stakes decision-making, the starting position of the coin is best concealed, the researchers wrote.
