Paul the octopus, world cup psychic - how useful is it in predicting games
By Nnaemeka
@mydanods (6513)
Nigeria
October 1, 2012 8:35pm CST
Paul the octopus, the animal psychic, who predicted that spain would win the South African 2010 world cup might have predicted correctly. But, does anyone know how the octopus does the predictions? On a scale of 5(would put my money there) and 0(never at all), would you agree to bet on a match predicted by Paul the octopus since he had success in South Africa?
3 responses
@mydanods (6513)
• Nigeria
2 Oct 12
it was quite astonishing that the said octopus predicted nine games correctly, including the final that spain won. Isn't that amazing? That tells why psychic are still in business even if the stats do not support their existence, and neither does LOGIC. Oh, logic...the irrationality of the prime numbers!
Your advise is time worn: do not mix the irrational and the fact in football before you lose your money; never believe the dives and the fouls, else there'd be ten red cards in every match.
happy lovely day, adhyz82
@mydanods (6513)
• Nigeria
4 Oct 12
yeah, it was but the coincidence was more than remarkable. The truth is a principle. Coincidence is chance. Where chance gets the target often and often, we have to give it credit. My brain says that is the right thing to do, although, like I can believe the truth, I chose not to believe in such. Imagine depending on coincidence to make decisions? Horrible! Never put your bets where your heart is - put it where your head is.
@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
6 Oct 12
Since there are only three outcomes in a match, it is a 1/3 rate of winning. If counting on statistic or past results could provide an accurate prediction, the betting company would have gone bankrupt a long time ago. Is not it easy to predict a Manchester United win against Norwich? Barcelona vs Osasuna? Bayern Munich against FC Augsburg? The probability is high that the stronger team will win. But football result is not like the sun that will surely rise from the east.
I don't believe in those animal predictions but I won't hesitate to follow as like I say, it is still a 1/3 chance to win.
@mydanods (6513)
• Nigeria
6 Oct 12
1/3 rate of winning means either a win, draw or lose? what if the rate or chances had been lower, say 1/5, you believe the coincidence in the chance hitting the right target would have been lower, not so? I think that is what you wanted to say. Where the chance is about 33%, if Paul the Octopus, predicts a success twice, then one can safely put his money down his animal marine cage! At least, I would have with 1/3. Maybe that is why many betting houses still thrive. I had never realized of 1/3 at all. Thanks for the insight.
@sjlskl (3382)
• Singapore
3 Oct 12
Paul had an perfect record predicting the results in World CUP 2010. Once or twice, maybe one can put it down to coincident. But a perfect score, that is something else. Certain things in life, there are no explanation and I believe that this is one of many mysteries in the world.
