Write a story that hinges on the outcome of a coin flip.

Posted in Adventure on Jan 6, 2023

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✍️ 68 stories

“The Specator” by Andrew Sweet

Submitted to Contest #180

Warning: Contains some (minimal) gun violence. I was near enough to the door to catch the kiss of ice when it opened and to be reassured when the frigid blast shrunk proportionally to the width of the narrowing crack that the chill that still resided in my bones would eventually diminish. A family came through. I only dared to catch a glimpse from my station as I posed over the half-empty coffee cup that graces the three-foot-diameter table my elbows rest rudely against. The father led, head held high with a gray fedora and a black band ...

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“Better Than Ezra” by Dave Bolin

Submitted to Contest #180

Ezra sat at the table with his co-workers on a Friday night, and the conversation had turned, as they sometimes do when it is too late in the evening, philosophical. “All I’m saying is that there is a reason for everything.” Ezra scoffed, as he peeled the label off his beer bottle. “That’s ridiculous.” “Why is that ridiculous?” “Just take a look around! This world is a random pile of messes, stacking one on top of the other.” “Well, I just believe in purpose and destiny.” Ezra set his bottle to the side. “Okay. Let’s put th...

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“A Bounty Uncollected” by Matthew Law

Submitted to Contest #180

The heat was the worst of it. This deep into summer, with an overflowing common room, the only thing keeping her at a comfortable temperature was the cold, cracked plaster wall against her back. Stale beer and sweat attacked her nostrils, amplified by the heat and humidity, whilst a cacophony of noise swept across her ears. The headache she could live with, but the heat caused her to bristle.She kept an eye looking across the crowd in front of her, as serving maids slid between packed tables carrying jugs of ale and plates of bread and chees...

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“Heads I Win, Tails You Lose” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #180

Town of Torrington Wyoming Territory 1882 Gower Gaston races down the sidewalk, his boots clomping against the sidewalk’s wooden planks, his spurs jingling out a frenzied beat. Rushing through the door of the Marshal’s office, the tousle-haired young deputy points at the cover of his dime novel shouting, “It’s him! It’s The Preacher!” Marshal Myles Gaston adjusts his specs, looking at the cover of “Say Your Prayers… The Preacher’s Coming,” which depicts a well-dressed dandy brandishing a pair of smoking pearl-handled guns. The pair step o...

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“Writer's Block” by Alana Ash

Submitted to Contest #180

I tapped the blank page of the worn notebook with the tip of my ballpoint pen. The seconds ticked by. My anxiety ate me alive. I needed her to work with me. “Please,” I tried again, but this time I didn’t hide the begging from my tone. The folding chair squeaked as Malaya leaned back into it, kicking her feet up on the worn oak desk that sat between us. A smirk covered her face. “Sorry, Alana, no can do. I’m feeling a little shy today and my throat hurts a bit. I think I’m coming down with something.” I breathed in a shaky inhale, tr...

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“The Weight of Duty.” by Nancy Davison

Submitted to Contest #180

The first time that he said it, we were standing on the balcony beside our bedroom too far away from the inner door for the palace guards to overhear. I laughed and considered his attempt at humour as a good sign. But his eyes were still hooded and weary. His shoulders still curled forward with the weight of what was on them. I sighed internally and took a slow drink from my wineglass, savouring the dry burn as the liquid slid down my throat. Then, turned my back on him and looked out over the city of Marion. It hugged the base of the mounta...

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“20 Milligrams of Pain” by Devan Sakaria

Submitted to Contest #180

1Apollo reclined into his chair, stretching his spine. It was eight hours after midday. He was alone in the office as he stood out of his chair, sighed, and snatched a prescription bottle off his desk. The little orange container held more evil than Apollo could ever imagine, but he wasn’t thinking about that–he just wanted to get home. He stepped onto the cold pavement, backpack over one shoulder, and his trembling left hand clutching the bottle. The pills rattled with each mindless step Apollo took. Right foot in front of the left other, t...

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“stop, drop, flip ” by Benjamin Okojie

Submitted to Contest #180

The coin flipped through the air spinning as it reached its arc, Thomas watched it peak and for a moment, he felt it stop completely before changing direction and descending. He caught it in his right palm and swiftly closed his right palm over the back of his hand. He took a deep breath before unveiling his hand, the coin showed tail. “shit” he whispered. Time resumed from its momentary pause; Thomas leaped backward swiftly dodging the punch coming from the large man in front of him. The man stood 6 feet 4 inches, weighed 240 pounds, made o...

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“Heads or Tails” by TJ Lee

Submitted to Contest #180

Two days ago we buried my father and step-mother. Shelly, my best friend, believed I was the way I was because my life was always changing, and in order to deal with it, I clung to anything stable that I could. I loved my dad. He gave me a good life. We had a stable life, just not a stable mother. The wife who died in the car accident with him had been wife number 4. My dad had worked as an accountant to a few businesses around the city, and some in the neighboring cities. He suggested accounting, that way I could work with...

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“THE FLIGHT OF THE COIN (FLYING WITH THE COIN)” by Mara Masolini

Submitted to Contest #180

THE FLIGHT OF THE COIN (FLYING WITH THE COIN) Here the( soccer) referee holds the coin in the palm of his hand, spins it with two fingers without looking at it, lifts the palm, and throws the coin in the air. No, it’s not possible that the winners of a such hard-fought match played to the last breath could be decided by the toss of a coin, Joseph thinks. He is the captain of the Blue Devils which have fought like lions against the Red Roosters, and which deserved to win. Instead at the end of the penalty kicks, which followed extra time, t...

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“The Days of Peeping Tom” by George Borghi

Submitted to Contest #180

I wouldn’t have said anything. If my daughter was the tallest girl in 10th grade and wore a metal back-brace down the length of her back, I doubt I’d be broadcasting to the whole neighborhood that she had a peeping tom. I mean, you’re just opening yourself up for some blow back. Even my mom, who is extra nice, told me about her exchange with a touch of meanness. She said, “I saw Mrs. Blankenship at S&S and she told me that Margaret has a peeping tom. That make any sense to you?” “She wouldn...

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“Le Chat Noir” by John Lyden

Submitted to Contest #180

Harry Bender sat down at the piano, a warm glass of bourbon clenched in his right hand and a cigarette dangling in his left, sweat from his wrists dripped onto the keyboard. He crushed the cigarette in a crowded ashtray and took a long draw from his drink, reflecting on the bourbon’s smooth slide down his throat as it nestled warmly in his stomach. Suddenly Harry realized that his hands were moving across the piano keys, his fingers caressing a Thelonious Monk tune out of the instrument, the heaving notes blending into the smoke and laughter...

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“Luck of the Draw” by Nikki Taylor

Submitted to Contest #180

The luck of the draw, or rather a flip of the coin. That’s all it took. For the day to go from the best day possible to the worst one. “Congratulations to our lucky winners!” the announcer cheered. “And what might your name be, miss?” “Uh-uh, Meredith. Meredith Frost,” I responded with a stammer. “And you, sir?” the announcer asked the man standing next to me “Anthony. Anthony Dawson,” he responded to the announcer. “Wonderful, once again, congratulations!” the announcer exclaimed. “We have randomly selected you two for a chance to win our g...

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“Calypso & The Coin Flip” by Joe Gatto

Submitted to Contest #180

I was unlucky to be born in Pontus, although I didn't realize it as I was growing up. My father was a successful merchant and had a prosperous business brokering the products of our abundant kingdom — cherries, olives, nuts, and fruit wines. When I was young he taught me his trade and I learned well how to conduct the business, source the products, find buyers and make them happy. My family lived very well until our king, Mithridates, picked a fight with Rome. King Mithridates stoked the passions of the young men of our kingdom, so my ...

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“The Flip of a Coin” by Kayla Baumann

Submitted to Contest #180

I stand at a crossroads. Wind whips my hair around my face as I prop my hands on my hip. I tap my thumb on the pommel of my sword and consider my options. One path leads into the forest that grows darker by the second. The other leads to a cave. I need to find shelter before night falls. To stay out in the open means certain death once full darkness settles. Both of my options hold dangers. All sorts of wild plants and animals. Thieves. Dragons. Dragons are my biggest threat. I open my money pouch and pull out a coin, my default for m...

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Write a story that hinges on the outcome of a coin flip.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 68 stories

“The Specator” by Andrew Sweet

“Better Than Ezra” by Dave Bolin

“A Bounty Uncollected” by Matthew Law

“Heads I Win, Tails You Lose” by Michael Jefferson

“Writer's Block” by Alana Ash

“The Weight of Duty.” by Nancy Davison

“20 Milligrams of Pain” by Devan Sakaria

“stop, drop, flip ” by Benjamin Okojie

“Heads or Tails” by TJ Lee

“THE FLIGHT OF THE COIN (FLYING WITH THE COIN)” by Mara Masolini

“The Days of Peeping Tom” by George Borghi

“Le Chat Noir” by John Lyden

“Luck of the Draw” by Nikki Taylor

“Calypso & The Coin Flip” by Joe Gatto

“The Flip of a Coin” by Kayla Baumann

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with someone having a run of bad luck.

Write about someone losing their lucky charm.

Set your story in a casino.

Write about someone whose luck is running out.

Contest #180

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

214

Contest entries

100

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: