# An edge in Coin Toss system?

by scalpmaster
Tags: coin, edge, toss
 P: 35 I came across a post here which is puzzling: http://quant.stackexchange.com/quest...in-toss-system 2 events: (1) prob(H or T)of a toss = 0.5. (2) prob(HH or TT) in a cluster of 6 tosses > 0.85. If you are betting on event(2) .i.e.A group of 6 instead of the very next toss Can an edge be actually constructed with some kind of progressive betting system?
P: 6,068
 Quote by scalpmaster I came across a post here which is puzzling: http://quant.stackexchange.com/quest...in-toss-system 2 events: (1) prob(H or T)of a toss = 0.5. (2) prob(HH or TT) in a cluster of 6 tosses > 0.85. If you are betting on event(2) .i.e.A group of 6 instead of the very next toss Can an edge be actually constructed with some kind of progressive betting system?
What sort of edge do you mean?

Note: I got .96875 (=31/32) for (2).
P: 35
 Quote by mathman What sort of edge do you mean? Note: I got .96875 (=31/32) for (2).
Thanks for the reply.Just wondering if we place a bet for consecutive appearance of T or H only after appearance of HTHT or THTH, would there be an advantage since probability is quite high if we count every cluster of 6 tosses as an event instead of every single toss?

P: 144
An edge in Coin Toss system?

 Quote by mathman Note: I got .96875 (=31/32) for (2).
Then what did you get for (1)?
 Quote by scalpmaster Just wondering if we place a bet for consecutive appearance of T or H only after appearance of HTHT or THTH, would there be an advantage since probability is quite high if we count every cluster of 6 tosses as an event instead of every single toss?
Is your coin endowed with some sort of memory that makes future outcomes depend on previous ones?
 Sci Advisor P: 6,068 Note to Norwegian - for (1) I assumed it was a fair coin, so that the probability of heads = probability of tails = 1/2. Note to scalpmaster - Norwegians comment is correct. Past events have no effect on the outcomes of future events for coin tossing.
P: 144
 Quote by mathman Note to Norwegian - for (1) I assumed it was a fair coin, so that the probability of heads = probability of tails = 1/2.
In that case, you may want to reconsider your previous note
 Quote by mathman Note: I got .96875 (=31/32) for (2).
as you seem to have inconsistent interpretations of "H or T" and "HH or TT".
P: 6,068
 Quote by Norwegian In that case, you may want to reconsider your previous note as you seem to have inconsistent interpretations of "H or T" and "HH or TT".
My calculation of (2): First toss anything. To avoid HH or TT, each subsequent toss must be opposite of previous toss. For 5 tosses in a row the probability is 1/32. Therefore the probability of getting HH or TT = 31/32.
P: 144
 Quote by mathman My calculation of (2): First toss anything. To avoid HH or TT, each subsequent toss must be opposite of previous toss. For 5 tosses in a row the probability is 1/32. Therefore the probability of getting HH or TT = 31/32.
Sure, but then the probability of getting H or T in (1) must be 100%.
P: 570
 Quote by scalpmaster I came across a post here which is puzzling: http://quant.stackexchange.com/quest...in-toss-system 2 events: (1) prob(H or T)of a toss = 0.5. (2) prob(HH or TT) in a cluster of 6 tosses > 0.85. If you are betting on event(2) .i.e.A group of 6 instead of the very next toss Can an edge be actually constructed with some kind of progressive betting system?
If you are betting on independent groups of six then results from a previous group will have no effect on the next group.
P: 35
 Quote by ImaLooser If you are betting on independent groups of six then results from a previous group will have no effect on the next group.
That is not what (2) meant or whether the coin has memory or not.

If you win $1 on 9.6 times and lose$3 every 0.4 times out of 10 groups/counts of 6 tosses (applying martingale if necessary only once on 6th toss), it is a positive expectation game conceptually.

However, the assumption was that you can only start betting on the 5th toss(or 4th) which becomes unclear whether the advantage still stands(which is my question).

Basically, out of 10 groups of 6 tosses, you will find at least 9 groups with a HH or TT in it.
However, this HH or TT can occur on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th toss, and conventional martingale(limited to once) only gives positive expectation from the 4th toss onwards...unless someone can devise another scheme which still gives positive expectation(maybe smaller) but with more coverage.
P: 144
 Quote by scalpmaster If you win $1 on 9.6 times and lose$3 every 0.4 times out of 10 groups/counts of 6 tosses (applying martingale if necessary only once on 6th toss), it is a positive expectation game conceptually.
Hi there, would you mind informing us of your proposed betting procedure, an in particular how you arrive at your numbers?

And again, since your coin is fair, and I suppose you are given fair odds on each bet, all bets, both individually and collectively, will have zero EV. That is a fact. Any scheme suggesting otherwise does not work, and that includes your attempt above. If you maintain your claim, you are probably breaking the forum rules, and the strict forum police may strike at any moment.
P: 570
 Quote by Norwegian Hi there, would you mind informing us of your proposed betting procedure, an in particular how you arrive at your numbers? And again, since your coin is fair, and I suppose you are given fair odds on each bet, all bets, both individually and collectively, will have zero EV. That is a fact. Any scheme suggesting otherwise does not work, and that includes your attempt above. If you maintain your claim, you are probably breaking the forum rules, and the strict forum police may strike at any moment.
Actually martingales have infinite expectation. But it only works if you have infinite money.