Calculating Roulette Probability for Multiple Occurrences in Limited Spins

In summary, the conversation discusses the probability of a specific number appearing multiple times on a roulette wheel in a fixed number of spins. The formula (1/37)(1/37)(1/37)(36/37)(36/37) is given as a way to calculate the probability of a specific number appearing exactly three times in five spins, assuming each spin is independent. The conversation also touches on the concept of order not mattering and the use of combinations to calculate the total probability. The Andruchi system is mentioned as a potential method for analyzing probabilities in roulette, but it is noted that it is no better than any other system. Finally, the conversation ends with a request for help in using a roulette wheel command in MATLAB to
  • #1
TalonD
182
1
I'm not a math whiz but I would like to know how to calculate this and similar things. if you have a roulette wheel with 37 spots where the ball can land. If you have a limited number of spins, say 10 spins. what is the probability that the same number will appear two times, three times, etc. ? I know one time would be 1/37. but I don't know how to calculate the probabilty of the same number occurring more than once in a fixed number of spins.
T.D.
 
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  • #2
The wheel doesn't have double aughts?

That's a probability of 1 in 37 for one spin, where the number is given in advance.

Assumed is that each outcome of a spin is independent of other outcomes. To get a prepicked number exactly 3 times in 5 spins, independent of order, means that in 2 spins the number does not turn-up.

P = (1/37)(1/37)(1/37)(36/37)(36/37)
 
  • #3
Don't you also have to consider the possible order of outcomes?

YYYNN
YNYNY
YNNYY
... etc

so 5C3 = 10. Multiple that probability by a factor of 10?
 
  • #4
Yes, you're right, Rip.
 
  • #5
European wheel only has one zero.
Thanks for the lesson. So if order doesn't matter then this is correct for 3 occurences out of five ?

(1/37)(1/37)(1/37)(36/37)(36/37)

I know every bet in roulette has a negative expectation, but there is something called the andruchi system (see google) that has some interesting looking probability analysis and I was wondering how to do the actual calculations to properly analyze it.

thanks for the tutorial
T.D.
 
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  • #6
TalonD said:
European wheel only has one zero.
Thanks for the lesson. So if order doesn't matter then this is correct for 3 occurences out of five ?

(1/37)(1/37)(1/37)(36/37)(36/37)

thanks for the tutorial
T.D.

Your welcome, but Rip was right, its P=10(1/37)(1/37)(1/37)(36/37)(36/37).

See 'math combinations' to get C(5,3)=10
 
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  • #7
Phrak said:
To get a prepicked number exactly 3 times in 5 spins, independent of order, means that in 2 spins the number does not turn-up.

P = (1/37)(1/37)(1/37)(36/37)(36/37)

Phrak said:
Your welcome, but Rip was right, its P=10(1/37)(1/37)(1/37)(36/37)(36/37).

See 'math combinations' to get C(5,3)=10

Tell me if I'm understanding this right. to get the same number 3 times in 5 spins when you have 37 possible numbers, it would be ?

P = ( (1/37)(1/37)(1/37)(36/37)(36/37) * 5 )
 
  • #8
BTW,
This is the classic binomial probability distribution:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binomial_distribution"
 
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  • #9
binomial distribution, that looks like what I was after
thanks everyone
T.D.
 
  • #10
Hello TalonD and all,

According to the
P=10(1/37)(1/37)(1/37)(36/37)(36/37)
posted above, the probability of a specific number appearing at least one time in 37 spins would be:

P= 37 (1/37) (37/37) (37/37)...(37/37) = 37(1/37)(37/37)^36=37(1/37)=1
which of course is incorrect.
What did I do wrong in interpreting the initial equation?

I would calculate the probability of a specific number appearing at least one time in 37 spins as:
P= 1-(36/37)^37

ps:the andruchi system is no better than any other system inho
 
  • #11
Hi There
I wonder if someone can help me with this roulette wheel command. I have to solve a problem in MATLAB using a set of algorithms. If I have two algorithms then I use rand() command to choose one of them randomly but if I have more than two algorithms I need to use this roulette wheel command but I am not a programmer so having problem how to use this roulette wheel command. Suppose I have set of 4 algorithms and I have to use one of them to solve the problem choosing one of these four algorithms. I'll be grateful for your help. I can upload the M-file if anyone wants to see the whole directory and set of algorithms.

Thank you all in advance.

Farooq
 

1. What is the probability of winning in Roulette?

The probability of winning in Roulette depends on the type of bet placed. The highest probability of winning is with even money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low) which have a probability of 18/38 or 47.37%. Bets on a single number have a probability of 1/38 or 2.63%.

2. What is the difference between American and European Roulette?

The main difference between American and European Roulette is the number of pockets on the wheel. American Roulette has 38 pockets (including 0 and 00) while European Roulette has 37 pockets (only 0). This difference affects the odds and probability of winning.

3. Is there a way to increase my chances of winning in Roulette?

No, Roulette is a game of chance and there is no guaranteed strategy to increase your chances of winning. However, placing bets with higher probabilities (such as even money bets) can increase your chances of winning in the short term.

4. How does the house edge in Roulette work?

The house edge in Roulette is the casino's advantage over the player. In American Roulette, the house edge is 5.26% due to the extra pocket (00). In European Roulette, the house edge is 2.7%. This means that in the long run, the casino will make a profit of 5.26% and 2.7% of all bets placed, respectively.

5. Can the outcome of previous spins affect the probability of future spins in Roulette?

No, each spin of the Roulette wheel is an independent event and the outcome of previous spins does not affect the probability of future spins. This is known as the Gambler's Fallacy, which is the belief that previous outcomes can influence future outcomes in a random game of chance.

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