Flip a coin is a great way to resolve a simple dispute or make a quick decision between two alternatives. It is a very simple exercise that only requires a little coordination. Even more fun, there are several tricks to learn to try to predict which face the coin will land on and fun ways to make fun of your friends.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Throwing the Coin
Step 1. Choose the right coin
There is no "better than the other" coin for this purpose, it all depends on personal preferences and the size of the hand. The newer coins, which have more defined designs, make it easier to choose between "heads" or "tails": in fact, you can feel the reliefs and faces of the coin better.
If you are flipping the coin as part of a trick it is good to have a specific type in mind. Not because this will necessarily make a difference, but because it will give you something to talk about while doing the trick, as a distraction
Step 2. Close your fist with your thumb facing up
The thumb is the finger that will push the coin into the air. It is therefore important that it is facing upwards, so that the coin can be directed in the same direction.
Step 3. Put your thumb under your index finger
It doesn't matter to insert it completely between the first two fingers: just place the tip. When you move it up for the launch, this position will create some initial resistance, helping you to push the coin with a faster movement.
Step 4. Place the coin on the space created between the thumb and forefinger
It should be placed on top of both fingers, so it doesn't fall out when you let go. You will not be able to hold the coin with the other hand while you are preparing to toss it, so it is important that you remain stationary without the need for your "help".
Step 5. Quickly pull your thumb up
This quick shot will push the coin into the air, spinning it over and over again. You can also move your hand upwards during the movement. Performing the operation gently will produce a slower flip, which means that the coin will make fewer turns.
Step 6. Look at the coin while it is in the air
You don't need to keep track of the turns it makes, but be prepared to catch it or check that it doesn't roll once it hits the floor. The flip of the coin will be perfectly useless if you can't see the final result.
Part 2 of 2: Betting on the Throw
Step 1. Decide how to end the launch
You will need to know exactly what to do before tossing the coin in the air. Will you catch it or will you let it fall to the ground? If you grab it, will you reveal the result as it is or will you overturn it on another surface (thus making it do one last lap)? If you are using the throw to make a decision with another person, talk about the modalities first, in order to avoid future complaints about the final result.
On the other hand, if you are comfortable with the following steps and are able to place and toss the coin very quickly, you can catch the other person off guard and maybe get a more favorable result
Step 2. Be the first to choose
If you can, try to be the person who chooses heads or tails, so that you can bet according to the conditions set for the toss.
Alternatively, you can make sure that you are the one making the launch. In this way you can check the conditions yourself and have a little margin on them
Step 3. Check which side of the coin is facing up
Although it is thought that to guess the result of a throw you generally have a 50% chance, in reality it is closer to a 51% in favor of the face facing up. It might seem like a small difference, but when you're guessing, every little detail matters. This feature works best with new coins: the older the coin, the more it is filed or filled with imperfections, which completely changes the physics of each flip.
- Consider the final part of the toss. If the person who throws (whether it is you or the other) will catch the coin on the fly and flip it onto another surface (for example the other hand or a table), then choose the face facing down. That extra spin could make all the difference.
- If you flip the coin and like to bet blindly, you can feel the face you are touching. The "cross" usually has more drawings, so it should be more jagged to the touch than the "head".
Step 4. Slowly flip the coin
A softer toss will make the coin rotate fewer times, which means you can keep an eye on its movement more easily.
Step 5. Practice throwing
As with any other skill, you can improve your coin toss with a little practice. The more times you do this, the more precise you will be in the toss and the better you can try to guess how many turns in the air the coin will make.
