Mathematics of Chance, Strategy & Sports

Insights on probability, game theory, and sports analytics from mathematician Noriter.

Featured Article

xG

Expected Goals Model

Sports Analytics
Expected Goals: The Math Behind Football's Most Important Metric

How probability models are revolutionizing football analysis. We break down the mathematics behind expected goals (xG) models, examining shot location, angle, defensive pressure, and other key variables that predict scoring probability.

Noriter

Noriter

14 min read
Football Statistics Data Science

Recent Articles

Sports Betting New
The Kelly Criterion: Optimal Betting Strategy

How to mathematically optimize your sports betting strategy using the Kelly criterion to maximize growth while minimizing risk of ruin.

Noriter

Noriter

10 min read
Game Theory
Nash Equilibrium in Everyday Life

How John Nash's revolutionary concept explains everything from traffic patterns to auction strategies and business competition.

Noriter

Noriter

8 min read
Basketball
Markov Chains in Basketball Possession Analysis

Modeling basketball possessions as Markov processes to predict scoring probabilities and optimize offensive strategies based on game state.

Noriter

Noriter

12 min read
Probability
The Monty Hall Problem: Why Mathematicians Were Stumped

A deep dive into the counterintuitive probability puzzle that divided mathematicians and how to understand its solution.

Noriter

Noriter

10 min read
Baseball
Sabermetrics: The Math Behind Moneyball

How statistical analysis revolutionized baseball scouting and team building, with a focus on WAR (Wins Above Replacement) calculations.

Noriter

Noriter

11 min read
Decision Theory
Bayesian vs Frequentist: The Great Statistical Debate

Exploring the philosophical and practical differences between two dominant approaches to probability and statistics.

Noriter

Noriter

15 min read

Sports Betting Corner

Mathematical approaches to sports betting and odds analysis

Value Betting

Identifying positive expected value bets using probability models and bookmaker odds comparisons.

Poisson Distribution

Modeling goal scoring in football matches using Poisson processes for more accurate predictions.

Odds Conversion

Converting between different odds formats and calculating implied probabilities.

Bankroll Management

Mathematical strategies for managing your betting bankroll to minimize risk.

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From the Notebook

Here's a recent mathematical exploration from my research notes - calculating expected value in sports betting:

Expected Value Formula:

EV = (Probability of Winning × Amount Won per Bet) - (Probability of Losing × Amount Lost per Bet)

Example Calculation:

  • Odds: 2.50 (implied probability = 1/2.50 = 40%)
  • Your estimated probability: 45%
  • Bet amount: $100
  • EV = (0.45 × $150) - (0.55 × $100) = $67.50 - $55 = +$12.50

This positive expected value indicates a mathematically sound bet. In upcoming articles, we'll explore how to identify such opportunities and build profitable betting strategies.