Which Tournament Has > EV?

Which of the following tournaments has a greater EV:

1) 3-table/30-entrants.
2) 2-table/20-entrants.

They both have the following in common:

* Payout Structure: 1st=50%, 2nd=30%, 3rd=20%
* Both identical: buy-ins ($20+$2), starting chips (1500), blinds (10/20, 12-minute), freezeout: no-rebuys, no-addons.

My first thought was that the EV would be the same... since the odds of winning in #1 is 1/30, and in #2 is 1/20. However, the # of people that you have to beat isn't really 50% greater, though, since there's another table that will dwindle it's own #s. Would it make a difference if the tourney was a shootout?

[zambonidrivr]

both are about the same imo.
i think you see a lot more donk action in the 3 table as people are not as patient.

[zambonidrivr]

at the end of the day, your going to have to win 1 or 2 flips. period

[Exitonly]

for an average player, they'll have the same EV.
for an above average player the 30 entrant one will have a higher EV because it's more top heavy. (both only pay 3 spots)

[Lloyd]

1) You start with 1500 chips out of a total of 45000. So you have 3 1/3% of the total chips. The total prize pool left (all of it) is $600. Your $EV is $20.

2) You start with 1500 chips out of a total of 30000. So you have 5% of the total chips. The total prize pool left (all of it) is $400. Your $EV is $20.

Makes no difference how many players in terms of EV. Your variance should be larger in the 30-player tournament but EV stays the same.

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for an above average player the 30 entrant one will have a higher EV because it's more top heavy. (both only pay 3 spots)

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That's what I was thinking, too. I wonder what others will think?

[Lloyd]

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for an above average player the 30 entrant one will have a higher EV because it's more top heavy. (both only pay 3 spots)

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That's what I was thinking, too. I wonder what others will think?

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I think it makes absolutely no difference at all in terms of EV.

[AceofSpades]

yeah, higher number = more EV = higher variance

[LearnedfromTV]

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for an above average player the 30 entrant one will have a higher EV because it's more top heavy. (both only pay 3 spots)

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That's what I was thinking, too. I wonder what others will think?

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I think it makes absolutely no difference at all in terms of EV.

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Top heavy prize pool benefits winning player. He's relatively more likely to finish in a higher percentile. The 30-person is higher EV.

[Exitonly]

Lloyd, an above average player will get the top 3 spots more often, so why wouldn't the one that pays more to the top 3 have a better EV?

for an average player, you're right it wouldnt make a difference.