Directory

Biography

Dr. Christopher Ingrassia joined the Kingsborough faculty in 2010. He has taught a wide variety of courses within the Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, and Mathematics degree programs. He currently serves on the department’s Personnel and Budget (P&B) committee, the CS-12 and Mat-9xx exit exam committees, and the CS/CIS planning committee. He is also the assessment director for the Computer Science program and is the co-coordinator (with Professor Eric Yan) of the annual NYSMATYC Math League contest.

Before settling into academia, Professor Ingrassia had an unorthodox and colorful career. During the late 1990s, he worked on top-secret classified military projects commissioned by DARPA. Then, in the summer of 2000, he was selected to join a seven-member think tank to develop the image reconstruction algorithm that would eventually be incorporated into GE’s third-generation CT scanners. Subsequent summers were spent analyzing DNA microarrays at IBM’s TJ Watson Research Center and studying biosignal processing amid the rolling hills of Tuscany. As a student, he specialized in modeling the electromechanical function of the beating heart before and after disease.

Most recently, Professor Ingrassia’s research has been focused on the mathematics of casino games. A 2026 presentation in Las Vegas garnered international attention when he stated that gamblers should risk more money per spin on European-style roulette rather than play conservatively on the more disadvantageous double- and triple-zero versions of the game. Professor Ingrassia further suggested that bettors actually have a positive expectation of winning modest profits on the European wheels, despite the house’s edge. His customized random walk simulations supported this most provocative assertion.

Education

Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 2009

M.S., Mathematics, Courant Institute, New York University, 2001

B.S., Computer Science (Mathematics minor), University of Central Florida, 1998

Courses

CS-12	Introduction to Computing
CS-13A0	Advanced Programming Techniques
CS-35	Discrete Structures
CS-37	Data Structures
CP-21	C++ Programming
CP-22	Advanced C++ Programming
Mat-4A0	Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning
Mat-7	Principles of Mathematics
Mat-9	College Algebra
Mat-9B0	College Algebra for STEM Majors
Mat-10	College Trigonometry
Mat-14	Precalculus
Mat-15	Calculus 1
Mat-16	Calculus 2
Mat-20	Elements of Statistics
Mat-56	Linear Algebra

College Teaching

Kingsborough Community College (2010-Present)

Bronx Community College (2010-2017)

Manhattan College (2010-2017)

Selected Recent Publications and Presentations

“A Template Method for Enumerating Linear and Circular Arrangements with Certain Separation”, Ingrassia, PSC-CUNY Research Awards Showcase, 2026

“Should Recreational Gamblers Seek Better Odds at Higher Table Minimums?”, Ingrassia, Int’l Conference on Gambling + Risk Taking, 2026

“Eminently Logical: the Monty Hall Paradox as a Teaching Tool”, Ingrassia, in Teaching Mathematics Through Cross Curricular Projects (eds., Elizabeth Donovan, Lucas Hoots, and Lesley Wiglesworth), MAA Press, 2024

“Achieving a Fair Settlement for All Via Game Theory”, Ingrassia, CUNY Games Conference 10.0, 2024

“A Simple Matrix Operation Produces Familiar Patterns” (submitted title, published under “Problem 17”), Ingrassia, Mathematics Teaching Research Journal (The Problem Corner, ed. Ivan Retamoso), (problem proposal in Vol. 15 No. 3, Summer 2023; problem solution in Vol. 15 No. 4, Fall 2023)

“Introducing Over/Under Keno: Exploiting Grid Patterns Using Probability”, Ingrassia, Int’l Conference on Gambling + Risk Taking, 2023

“Why the Monty Hall Paradox Does Not Directly Apply to Deal or No Deal”, Ingrassia, MAA MathFest Meeting, 2021

“A Probabilist’s View of the Temporal Distribution of Triple Crown Winners”, Ingrassia, MAA MathFest Meeting, 2021

“Revitalizing Keno: A Call for Pattern-Based Proposition Bets”, Ingrassia, Journal of Gambling Business + Economics, 2020

“The Role Mathematics Plays in Creating Tension and Resolution in Music”, Ingrassia, MAA NY Section Meeting, 2020

“Surprising Random Patterns Emerge in Keno”, Ingrassia, MAA NY Section Meeting, 2020

In The Media

Professor Ingrassia’s presentation at the 19^th International Conference of Gambling and Risk Taking in Las Vegas generated a lot of buzz within the gambling community. The following articles were written about it:

1. “Are Gamblers Better Off Playing Games With High Table Limits Or Lower-Stakes? A Professor Weighs In”, Richard N. Velotta, Las Vegas Review-Journal
   https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/are-gamblers-better-off-playing-games-with-high-table-limits-or-lower-stakes-a-professor-weighs-in-3829346/

2. “Forget Everything You Know: Higher Limit Games Are The Way To Go”, Melanie Porter, Gambling News
   https://www.gamblingnews.com/news/forget-everything-you-know-higher-limit-games-are-the-way-to-go/

3. “High Stakes Or Low Bets: Which Casino Play Wins? Specialists Have Decided”, Sadonna Price, CasinoUSA.com
   https://www.casinousa.com/news/high-stakes-or-low-bets-which-casino-play-wins-specialists-have-decided

4. “The Professor Suggests That Players Should Avoid Games With Worse Odds, Payouts”, Andrew, The Player Lounge
5. “Casino Strategies Highlighted At Global Gambling Conference”, Staff, Mayors & Cities
   https://mayorsandcities.com/article/casino-strategies-highlighted-global-gambling-conference-2

This has spawned the following interviews:

1. “Players Miss Hidden Casino House Edge Hikes, Notes a Kingsborough Researcher”, Steve (Ziv) Chen, Gambling.com. 8/24/26
   https://www.gambling.com/news/players-miss-hidden-casino-house-edge-hikes-notes-a-kingsborough-researcher

2. “Bet Size vs. House Edge: Kingsborough Community College Professor Examines the Trade-Off”, Steve (Ziv) Chen, Covers. 7//29/26 (Article immediately picked up by Yahoo! Lifestyle)
   https://www.covers.com/industry/bet-size-vs-house-edge-kingsborough-community-college-professor-examines-the-trade-off-july-29-2026

3. “Triple-zero Experiment Shows Giving Casino an Extra Edge Makes a Huge Difference”, Adam Roarty, Casino Beats. 6/25/26
   https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7476300114232328193-sRqy

Grants and Patents

PSC-CUNY Research Award #68325-00 56 (Traditional-A) for “A Template Method for Enumerating Linear and Circular Arrangements with Certain Separation”.

NSF INTREPID Grant #2413239 (K-RIC) for integrating research in the classroom for CS-37 Data Structures. Co-PIs: Laura Spinu and Loretta Brancaccio-Taras

U.S. Patent 7,828,735 B2 for “Methods for Providing Diagnostic Information Using Endocardial Surface Data for a Patient’s Heart”, with Co-PIs Jeffrey W. Holmes, Kevin D. Costa, and Susan L. Herz

Professional Societies

Mathematical Association of America

IEEE Computer Society

Research Interests

Combinatorics

Probability and Prediction

Computer Simulation

Gambling Mathematics and Wagering Strategies

Personal Interests

Music Composition and Recording

Pre-21st Century Music and Film

The Sport of Kings

Games of Chance