<P> If after tossing four heads in a row , the next coin toss also came up heads , it would complete a run of five successive heads . Since the probability of a run of five successive heads is 1 / 32 ( one in thirty - two ) , a person might believe that the next flip would be more likely to come up tails rather than heads again . This is incorrect , and is an example of the gambler 's fallacy . The event `` 5 heads in a row '' and the event `` first 4 heads , then a tails '' are equally likely , each having probability 1 / 32 . Since the first four tosses turn up heads , the probability that the next toss is a head is : </P>
<P> If after tossing four heads in a row , the next coin toss also came up heads , it would complete a run of five successive heads . Since the probability of a run of five successive heads is 1 / 32 ( one in thirty - two ) , a person might believe that the next flip would be more likely to come up tails rather than heads again . This is incorrect , and is an example of the gambler 's fallacy . The event `` 5 heads in a row '' and the event `` first 4 heads , then a tails '' are equally likely , each having probability 1 / 32 . Since the first four tosses turn up heads , the probability that the next toss is a head is : </P>
what are the chances of flipping heads 5 times in a row
what are the chances of flipping heads 5 times in a row
one in thirty - two
one in thirty - two