Comments on: Deal or No Deal contestants cannot do math http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2006/05/10/deal-or-no-deal-contestants-cannot-do-math/ Personal finance, commentary, and spending less the easy way Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:24:44 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Michael Dempsey http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2006/05/10/deal-or-no-deal-contestants-cannot-do-math/comment-page-1/#comment-10010 Michael Dempsey Tue, 17 Oct 2006 00:56:56 +0000 http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2006/05/10/deal-or-no-deal-contestants-cannot-do-math/#comment-10010 The expected outcome is all of the amounts divided by the number of suitcases. It is around $170,000; depending on the version of the game. Anyway, if someone is offered this amount or more, they have esentially won the game an should walk away. I know there is more to the risk theory, but that is one valid strategy. The expected outcome is all of the amounts divided by the number of suitcases. It is around $170,000; depending on the version of the game. Anyway, if someone is offered this amount or more, they have esentially won the game an should walk away. I know there is more to the risk theory, but that is one valid strategy.

]]> By: mapgirl http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2006/05/10/deal-or-no-deal-contestants-cannot-do-math/comment-page-1/#comment-1844 mapgirl Wed, 10 May 2006 12:57:31 +0000 http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2006/05/10/deal-or-no-deal-contestants-cannot-do-math/#comment-1844 I'm not sure how the incident you illustrated is about math. It's more like statistics and probability or game theory, which is harder than simple math. But from what I heard on an NPR story, it's more about risk tolerance than anything else. I think I too would be happy with just getting $100K. Is that an option? I’m not sure how the incident you illustrated is about math. It’s more like statistics and probability or game theory, which is harder than simple math. But from what I heard on an NPR story, it’s more about risk tolerance than anything else.

I think I too would be happy with just getting $100K. Is that an option?

]]> By: Ricemutt http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2006/05/10/deal-or-no-deal-contestants-cannot-do-math/comment-page-1/#comment-1843 Ricemutt Wed, 10 May 2006 05:21:29 +0000 http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2006/05/10/deal-or-no-deal-contestants-cannot-do-math/#comment-1843 Actually, based on pure math, the contestant ought to continue the game because of the way the game is set up, since the banker's offer is always below the expected value of the remaining suitcases until the contestant gets down to only two of them. Some good and extensive info on the show and setup is available at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deal_or_No_Deal" rel="nofollow">wikipedia</a>. But you're right. Amazing how this show can get such high ratings. First Texas Hold'em, now this. We're a country addicted to gambling :) Actually, based on pure math, the contestant ought to continue the game because of the way the game is set up, since the banker’s offer is always below the expected value of the remaining suitcases until the contestant gets down to only two of them. Some good and extensive info on the show and setup is available at wikipedia.
But you’re right. Amazing how this show can get such high ratings. First Texas Hold’em, now this. We’re a country addicted to gambling :)

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