Unexplainable

How to beat roulette

35 snips
Jun 4, 2025
Doyne Farmer, a physicist and Director of Complexity Economics at Oxford, delves into the fascinating world of roulette. He explains how physics can be applied to beat the game, arguing that winning might be more about calculation than luck. The discussion ventures into the chaos theory behind roulette mechanics and shares thrilling heist narratives showcasing strategic risks. Farmer also explores how these techniques translate to financial markets, enhancing trading outcomes through scientific predictions.
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ANECDOTE

Physicists Beat Roulette

  • Doyne Farmer and his friend Norman Packard, both physics grad students, decided to beat roulette using physics in the summer of 1975.
  • They combined their scientific skills to develop a system to predict roulette outcomes despite it being considered pure chance.
INSIGHT

Roulette Is Physics, Not Chance

  • Roulette is governed entirely by physics, not random chance, since the ball and wheel follow physical laws.
  • Small differences in ball throws cause big variations in landing, making predictions tricky but possible with physics knowledge.
ANECDOTE

Testing Roulette Physics In Dorm

  • Doyne Farmer and Norman bought a roulette wheel to conduct midnight experiments in their dorm and physics department.
  • They modeled the ball’s rolling and decelerating physics with air resistance to predict its trajectory.
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