If you’ve been playing casino games for any length of time, you’ve probably heard someone mention probability at some point. It is a word thrown around to describe the luck aspect of casino games, and is a very important aspect. But what is probability, and why is it often blamed when a player is having a string of bad luck?

Many people love their casino games, so it goes without saying that it is in the best interest of those players to understand how probability works. After all, there is no benefit in not approaching a casino game with as much knowledge as possible. Let’s have a look at some of the key points of probability.

Winning and Losing Streaks

Sometimes when playing casino games it can seem like everything is just going your way. Other times it can seem like the exact opposite, like the game is conspiring against you. Why does this happen? Winning and losing streaks are a part of statistics in casino games. Since many casino games are primarily based around luck, the statistics are going to stack up from time to time.

There is, of course, no deeper meaning to this, other than to say that if you win a great deal, you are also going to have to loose an equal amount at some point. It does not, however, mean that a winning streak is going to be followed by a losing streak, or vice versa. Statistics and probability are always random,  and simply balance out over time.

Gambler’s Fallacy

Some casino game players insist that if a certain number hasn’t come up on a roulette wheel, that it is due to come up, since it has been absent. This is not at all true. There is an equal chance that a number will come up with every spin of the wheel. To say that a number is due because it has been absent, or that it is less likely to come up since it has just made an appearance, is misunderstanding how random chance works.

It is best to approach a game like roulette, or any casino game that uses random chance, with the idea that every round has an equal chance of an event occurring. A real money slots game, for example, has no memory, and is always going to simply come up with a random selection of symbols every turn.

The Wins Must Come

The great thing about probability is that it says that you must win at some point, which is a comforting thought, and a good thing to keep in mind. If you play a casino game for any length of time, there must be a period where you win. It is impossible that you cannot win, at some point.

Keeping this fact in mind is a great way to approach a casino game. Many strategies are based around this fact, and are essential to being a good player. Staying vigilante, playing smart, and waiting for the wins is an excellent way to walk away with more money in your pocket.