# gamblers fallacy

CEFR C1 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gamblers-fallacy
Updated: 2026-10-09

## Definition

the mistaken belief that if something happens more often than usual now, it will happen less often in the future. You might think a coin is 'due' to land on heads because it has landed on tails five times in a row.

For teachers: the erroneous belief that the probability of a random event is influenced by previous occurrences in a sequence. Refers specifically to independent events where the outcome of one trial has no statistical impact on the next.

## Examples

- He lost money because he fell for the gamblers fallacy at the casino.
- After five consecutive red spins on the roulette wheel, many players bet on black due to the gamblers fallacy.
- Understanding the gamblers fallacy is crucial for risk assessment, as it prevents the irrational expectation that a streak of bad luck must inevitably be corrected by a favorable outcome.

## Pitfalls

- Not "the gambler fallacy" but "the gamblers fallacy" — The term requires the possessive form, though it is sometimes written with or without the apostrophe (gambler's or gamblers').

## Usage notes

- Usually used with the definite article ('the gamblers fallacy').

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.