40k coin tosses yield ambiguous evidence for dynamical bias

Re:40k coin tosses yield ambiguous evidence for dynamical bias by bitcurious on Friday June 03, 2022 @11:34AM (#31609733)

When I was around 15 I tried to master the controlled coin flip, having been exposed to the idea in one of the Stainless Steel Rat books by Harry Harrison. I reached around 80% success flipping for heads, so long as I used the catch-and-show method. It was easier with heavier and bigger coins, tougher with lighter and smaller ones. Letting the coin drop the the ground and bounce took me back to 50%.

Satisfied that it could be done, I moved on - never used the skill, except as a party trick.

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Re:40k coin tosses yield ambiguous evidence for dynamical bias by gfodor on Friday June 03, 2022 @11:54AM (#31610042)

This is why the casino people get upset when you roll the dice at a craps table and continually avoid hitting the back wall. The rubber pyramids lining the wall are critical to ensuring they maintain their edge :)

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Re:40k coin tosses yield ambiguous evidence for dynamical bias by raegis on Friday June 03, 2022 @12:36PM (#31610578)

Same here. Long ago I tried to generate an encryption key by flipping a coin. After getting a rhythm and flipping heads 20 consecutive times I gave up.

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Re:40k coin tosses yield ambiguous evidence for dynamical bias by titzer on Friday June 03, 2022 @02:16PM (#31611810)

You could still XOR longer runs together, reducing the bitrate but mostly eliminating the bias.

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Re:40k coin tosses yield ambiguous evidence for dynamical bias by inimino on Saturday June 04, 2022 @12:57AM (#31617144)

There is a protocol for this... you flip the coin twice. HH or TT you ignore, HT or TH you keep (and treat as H or T). This eliminates any bias towards H or T that the coin or flipping procedure may have.

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