pool game problem

[SNOWBALL138]

I was betting a guy $10 dollars per race to five. I was up one set, and had a 4-3 lead on the current set when the pool room closed down.

I'm a nice guy, so I called it even and took the money from the first set. Assuming we were about equal in skill, should I have taken a certain % of the current ten dollar bet? If so, how much?

[SNOWBALL138]

The way I figure it, it is 3-1 against him winning the set because we are equally skills each match is a coinflip. He must win 2 in a row, which is only 25 percent likely. Am I correct here or am I leaving something out?

Ok, given that this is true, shouldn't he pay me $7.50?

[MickeyHoldem]

To be clear, are you both putting up $5 or $10.

For $5 each...

You will win 3/4 of the matches if you are of equal skill, so if you played 4 times from this point you would win $30. Having invested $20 you would be +$10 after 4 trials. Your expected gain is +$2.50 per trial.

If the $10 is on the side of the pool table... you should take $7.50, otherwise your friend should just pay you $2.50.

If your putting up $10 each... double the above figures.

[SNOWBALL138]

thanks. If I have the idea right, the equation is

(.75x5) - (.25x5)= 2.50

It seems so simple now. /images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Ray Zee]

to understand it in real live action play so you dont make mistakes

if you bet 10$ each then there is 20 bet. you are entitled to 75% of that, or 15. so he needs to pay you 5 bucks.

seeing that he needs to win two in a row which makes you a 3 to 1 favorite.