[Math] Fair Game and Dice

diceprobability

Two players put a dollar in a pot. They decide to throw a pair of dice alternatively. The first one who throws a total of $ 5$ on both dice wins the pot. How much should the player who starts add to the pot to make this a fair game?

So my interpretation of this problem is that I first throw a dice and then the other person throws a dice afterwards. E.g. if I throw a 1, and if the other person throws a 4 wins the pot. So we are trying to find the expected payout?

Best Answer

First, find the probability $p$ that a $5$ is thrown and define $q = 1 - p$. The probability that the first player wins is $C=p+pq^2+pq^4+\ldots$; calculate this value. Now set $C=(1-C)(1+x)$ and solve for the extra contribution $x$.

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