Nestor R. answered • 08/23/19
Professional experienced using mathematics and statistics
Probability theory, which is very important to the application of statistics, was developed to help understand various games of chance, i.e. gambling. Card games, dice games, roulette and other forms of gambling were investigated. From that came an understanding of what is more likely to happen in the next game, given what has already happened. Casinos learned that while it is possible for someone to win a game of, let's say, poker by being dealt a royal flush straight from the deck, the chances are very small. If it happens more than once then something is wrong, either the dealer hasn't shuffled the deck sufficiently to ensure a random distribution of cards, or the player is cheating or something else. Casinos have also learned through statistics and probability to detect card counting or introduction of loaded dice or other means that shift the odds of a favorable outcome from the casino to the player. A player may win and win big in the short term, but given enough time, the casino will come out ahead.
