10 Facts About Coin toss

Coin toss flipping was known to the Romans as navia aut caput, as some coins had a ship on one side and the head of the emperor on the other.

In cricket the Coin toss is often significant, as the decision whether to bat or bowl first can influence the outcome of the game.

Similarly, in tennis a coin toss is used in professional matches to determine which player serves first.

The player who wins the Coin toss decides whether to serve first or return, while the loser of the Coin toss decides which end of the court each player plays on first.

In duels a coin toss was sometimes used to determine which combatant had the sun at his back.

In some other sports, the result of the Coin toss is less crucial and merely a way to fairly choose between two more or less equal options.

Federation Internationale d'Escrime rules use a coin toss to determine the winner of some fencing matches that remain tied at the end of a "sudden death" extra minute of competition.

Since the images on the two sides of actual coins are made of raised metal, the toss is likely to slightly favor one face or the other if the coin is allowed to roll on one edge upon landing.

Coin toss spinning is much more likely to be biased than flipping, and conjurers trim the edges of coins so that when spun they usually land on a particular face.

Coin toss explained: "I did not say you should follow blindly what the coin tells you.