Harmer, G.Abbott, D.Taylor, P.2006-06-192006-06-192000Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 2000; 456(1994):247-2591364-50211471-2946http://hdl.handle.net/2440/2474We introduce Parrondo's paradox that involves games of chance. We consider two fair games, A and B, both of which can be made to lose by changing a biasing parameter. An apparently paradoxical situation arises when the two games are played in any alternating order. A winning expectation is produced, even though both games A and B are losing when we play them individually. We develop an explanation of the phenomenon in terms of a Brownian ratchet model, and also develop a mathematical analysis using discrete-time Markov chains. Prom the analysis we investigate the range of parameter values for which Parrondo's paradox exists. © 2000 The Royal Society.enThe paradox of Parrondo's gamesJournal article000100071710.1098/rspa.2000.05160000855562000012-s2.0-004299357763611Abbott, D. [0000-0002-0945-2674]