play the percentage game

play the percentage game

To make a decision or choose an action thought to have the likeliest chance of success based on data or past experience. I decided to play the percentage game and put in a right-handed pinch-hitter against the left-handed pitcher. It just seems like their business plan is simply playing the percentage game, lacking any real passion or intuition behind what they're selling.
See also: game, percentage, play
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • percentage
  • play the percentages
  • choose
  • decide
  • decide against
  • decide against (someone or something)
  • decided
  • choose from
  • choose from (people or things)
  • choose between two people or things
References in periodicals archive
"In the first half, we didn't play the percentage game enough.
Vale head for Italy full of confidence; EBBWVALE RFC
"Now I play the percentage game and I can sometimes have 20 bets a day.
HORSERACING: Seven years ago I stung bookies for pounds 60,000 in readies (Now I'm joining The Punter to give them a real bashing every Saturday)
However, after rain had wiped out almost half this game, both Smith and his opposite number, Vince Wells, opted to play the percentage game rather than try to contrive a result.
Inconsistent Warwicks fail to make their point; At Leicester (final day): Leicestershire (353-8, 12pts) drew with Warwickshire (306, 10pts)
It may well be players are taking drugs because they know only a handful are tested every season and are happy to play the percentage game.
RAMBO 'S RANT: Maradona got hooked on coke ... I was happy with glucose on a drip
In the first-half we didn't play the percentage game enough.
Quote unquote
"We are going to play the percentage game," he revealed.
Sharp and Eves exits have Coventry playing business and percentages