Play the percentages

Posted by Baceseras on August 18, 2007

In Reply to: Play the percentages posted by pamela on August 18, 2007

: : : Is there a phrase that goes something like "to play the percentages?" I'm looking for a phrase with the word per cent in it, and I'm drawing a blank -- I know there's a common one out there, but I can't seem to think of it or find it in any searches.

: : "There's no percentage in it" - meaning that a project or an activity isn't worthwhile, wouldn't profit the participant. ~rb

: "To play the percentages" gets about 1000 hits on Google, although "To play the numbers" is how I've heard it. rb's suggestion is one I've heard also. Pamela

"Play the percentages" is fairly common in America, where it means to back the long odds, or to follow the likeliest course for success.