odd or even

American  

Also odd and even or odds or evens

noun

1. any of various games of chance in which one bets on an odd or even number, as one in which two players alternately draw from a pile of an odd number of counters any desired number up to a prearranged limit, the object being to have drawn an odd number of counters at the end of the game.

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Etymology

Origin of odd or even

First recorded in 1625–35

Example Sentences

Since as early as the 19th century, critics have derided people who choose not to eat meat as "odd" or even "half-crazed."

From Salon • Jul. 15, 2024

The authors showed 17 participants images of anywhere from zero to nine dots on a screen for half a second, and asked them whether they had seen an odd or even number of items.

From Scientific American • Oct. 11, 2023

Even so, they were able to correctly choose the odd or even number 70% of the time.

From NewsForKids.net • May 26, 2022

The numbers are 1 to 36, mirroring those on a roulette wheel, and other bets can be placed on odd or even numbers, colours, rows and columns.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2019

They will bet on the odd or even number of mourners at a funeral.

From "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner