standard deviation

When playing in a standard 8 handed game if the # of hands per hour goes from 30 to 40 does the standard deviation go up or down?

SD/hand is the same, but SD/hour increases as follows...


If SD/hand = x, then:


For 30 hands/hr, SD/hour = x * sqrt(30) = 5.48x

For 40 hands/hr, SD/hour = x * sqrt(40) = 6.32x


So by playing 40 hands/hr instead of 30, SD increases by 15% (6.32/5.48 = 1.15). Of course this is not a bad thing if you are an advantage player (+EV), because your EV/hr goes up as well, and you will get into the "long run" faster. If you are not an advantage player, you are better off playing at the slower table, IMO, since you will not lose your money as quickly, and by playing more hours, you will earn more comps (if they are offered where you play).


--Homer J.

Thanks! great response