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By definition, odds provide a measure of the likelihood of a particular outcome. Sometimes odds are very likely, like the fact that nothing good will come out of 2020 (and thankfully, we are almost past it!), and sometimes not so much.

But on very rare occasions, odds-defying things happen against all possible likelihood, proving that after all, this world of ours is inherently random. So this time, we’re taking the ride of a lifetime featuring this selection of nearly impossible odds as presented by the r/nevertellmetheodds subreddit.

Created in 2015, the online community has a whopping 1.7m members who are all in for bizarre and wonderful chances that shouldn’t have happened. The subreddit’s description says it’s all about “Nearly impossible feats of achievement, those with a great degree of difficulty or incredible odds,” so let’s find out what exactly all this fuss is about.

#2

Many Of You Might Have Seen This . But For Those Who Haven't

Many Of You Might Have Seen This . But For Those Who Haven't

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Joyce Melton
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Later that same day, he was elected president of Australia and married Gal Godot.

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#3

Small World

Small World

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AzKhaleesi
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thats crazy I wonder if the Coach / Dad ever looked at him and thought hmmm he looks a lot like me.

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No matter what we think we know about odds-defying things, the truth is they do happen and they happen more often than we think. British statistician David J. Hand claims that even “extremely improbable events are commonplace.”

This is due to the improbability principle that’s comprised of five laws “analogous to the four laws of thermodynamics or Newton’s three laws of motion.” David insists that “These laws, the law of inevitability, the law of truly large numbers, the law of selection, the law of the probability lever, and the law of near enough, explain exactly why we should expect to encounter highly unlikely events, and indeed why we should expect to do so on a regular, even frequent, basis.”

#5

In 1990, A Panel Of The Windscreen On British Airways Flight 5390 Fell Out At 17k Feet, Causing The Cockpit To Decompress & Its Captain To Be Sucked Halfway Out Of The Aircraft. The Crew Held Onto Him For More Than 20 Minutes As The Copilot Made An Emergency Landing. The Pilot Made A Full Recovery

In 1990, A Panel Of The Windscreen On British Airways Flight 5390 Fell Out At 17k Feet, Causing The Cockpit To Decompress & Its Captain To Be Sucked Halfway Out Of The Aircraft. The Crew Held Onto Him For More Than 20 Minutes As The Copilot Made An Emergency Landing. The Pilot Made A Full Recovery

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This is where mathematics comes into play to define these principles and calculate what effect they have on each other. For example, the law of near enough “says that events that are sufficiently similar may be regarded as identical,” David explains.

In fact, this similarity is what precisely makes a dramatic difference. David adds the law of truly large numbers and the result is that “given enough opportunities, the probabilities of even very unlikely events can mount up to be almost certain.”

Those laws raise the number of opportunities for any unlikely happening to actually happen. Read more about David’s philosophy of probability in his book “The Improbability Principle.”

#7

This Hero Has Luck +9000

This Hero Has Luck +9000

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Jerome Wallington
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's my mate Matt Croucher, went to school with him, his dad was my science teacher and we went to France on holiday with him and his sister Clair. How weird I just came across this on a post about coincidences

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wandile dludlu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's really clever... it makes sense though to go back first

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Gareth Graham
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He also refused treatment until others were treated and waited until the area was clear as he knew the explosion would attract enemy fire. He was awarded the George Cross

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Yup
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was Matt croucher, he received the George cross for that amazing and brave action

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Paul Ellis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What are "comrages"? Panda needs to proof-read what he posts

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Elizabeth Calvert
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He walked away with a concussion not just a nosebleed and a headache. His full bravery needs to be noted

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Draga Millani
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a Captain America move right there. Props to this brave brave guy!

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Lisa Chambers
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What won't you do for your brothers? I am surprised he did not lose any hearing!

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starhunter64
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

TANK!!!! this man is the level 999+ party tank of the British!!!!!!! props to him

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Judy Rofe
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pure selflessness you won't find anywhere but the armed forces.

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Sandy Feuerbacher
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The word is COMRADES - not "COMRAGES" - proof-reading helps tremendously!!!

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Azli Maizar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Chuck Norris did the same thing, the grenade got a nosebleed and a headache instead.

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Caroline Driver
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This should now become common practise for soldiers in a throw yourself on a grenade situation - do it back first with your pack on

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#8

Unexpected Reunion

Unexpected Reunion

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Martha Meyer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a lucky coincidence for them! They probably would have never found out otherwise.

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#10

Two Strangers Sit Next To Each Other On A Flight And Meet Their Doppelganger

Two Strangers Sit Next To Each Other On A Flight And Meet Their Doppelganger

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#13

Lucky Nurse

Lucky Nurse

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#15

“And I Took That Personally” - Tsutomu Yamaguchi (Probably)

“And I Took That Personally” - Tsutomu Yamaguchi (Probably)

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#16

Neighbor Brings Owner Identical Cat

Neighbor Brings Owner Identical Cat

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#17

Saw This Photo Posted Here.. Noticed I Have The Photo The Grandmother Took That Day. (Bought At An Antique Shop Years Ago In Phx)

Saw This Photo Posted Here.. Noticed I Have The Photo The Grandmother Took That Day. (Bought At An Antique Shop Years Ago In Phx)

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#18

Lightning Striking Simultaneously On Chicago's Three Tallest Buildings

Lightning Striking Simultaneously On Chicago's Three Tallest Buildings

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#19

None Of Their Feet Are Touching The Floor

None Of Their Feet Are Touching The Floor

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#20

The First Time My Friend Visited My Apartment She Was Mind-Blown That My Shower Curtain Looked “Exactly” Like One Of Her Shirts. I Half-Seriously Said That Her Story Sounded Made Up And Promptly Forgot About It Until She Returned The Following Week To Demonstrate. I Forever Stand Corrected

The First Time My Friend Visited My Apartment She Was Mind-Blown That My Shower Curtain Looked “Exactly” Like One Of Her Shirts. I Half-Seriously Said That Her Story Sounded Made Up And Promptly Forgot About It Until She Returned The Following Week To Demonstrate. I Forever Stand Corrected

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#21

This Mother Deer Has Two Albino Fawns...

This Mother Deer Has Two Albino Fawns...

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#22

My Grandma Died On My Grandpa’s Birthday. My Grandpa Died On My Grandma’s Birthday

My Grandma Died On My Grandpa’s Birthday. My Grandpa Died On My Grandma’s Birthday

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Daria B
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a sad birthday for the one who passed away afterwards. I'd be devastated.

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#23

This Is A Tomato That Accidently Grew Inside Of The Fence

This Is A Tomato That Accidently Grew Inside Of The Fence

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#26

Twins Married Twins To Give Birth To Another Twins

Twins Married Twins To Give Birth To Another Twins

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#27

Landslide Splits Just Before Hitting A Farm In Iceland. Happened This Morning. No One Got Hurt

Landslide Splits Just Before Hitting A Farm In Iceland. Happened This Morning. No One Got Hurt

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#28

Went To Take A Picture Of The Rainbow And Lightning Struck At The Same Time!

Went To Take A Picture Of The Rainbow And Lightning Struck At The Same Time!

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#32

This Is How The Newspapers Were Stacked Up At My Job

This Is How The Newspapers Were Stacked Up At My Job

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#33

Beluga Whale Saves An iPhone!

Beluga Whale Saves An iPhone!

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#34

We Were Seconds Away From Losing Our Home To The California Fire. Thank You To All The Firefighters That Saved Our Community!

We Were Seconds Away From Losing Our Home To The California Fire. Thank You To All The Firefighters That Saved Our Community!

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#36

The Cat Knocked My Daughter’s Fish Bowl Off The Dresser

The Cat Knocked My Daughter’s Fish Bowl Off The Dresser

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Pan Narrans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The perfect opportunity to get a decent size aquarium for the fish. A bowl is too small.

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#38

It's Gotta Be Weird To Go To The Mall One Day And Run Into... Yourself

It's Gotta Be Weird To Go To The Mall One Day And Run Into... Yourself

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#40

Two Drunk Guys Imitate Connor Mcgregor As He Drives Past

Two Drunk Guys Imitate Connor Mcgregor As He Drives Past

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Note: this post originally had 75 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.

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