Ask The Wizard #216

No. Using this actuarial table Data from the CDC shows that a 72-year-old Caucasian male has an 85.63% chance of reaching the age of 76, indicating a 1 in 7 risk of passing away. This survival probability comes from dividing the number of those who lived to 76, which is 57,985, by the total at age 72, which is 67,719. This data references a 'period life table' assuming future mortality rates will mirror those from 2003, the most widely used type of mortality table. A perfectionist might prefer a 1936 cohort life table, but the difference is likely negligible.

P.S. After sharing this insight, I've noticed several comments pointing out that my analysis did not account for John McCain’s personal health status. His history as a cancer survivor could complicate matters, yet he also benefits from top-notch medical care, appears mentally and physically well for a man his age, and has a family history of longevity, as his mother is still living. However, my intention was solely to reference standard actuarial tables, as cited by Matt Damon. For an average 72-year-old male, the chance of surviving another four years stands at 86%. If I had to wager, I would even suggest that McCain’s odds are likely better than this statistic.

Slot tournaments are typically conducted on exclusive tournament machines. These machines generally do not accept bets, so your chip balance will either remain stable or increase after each play. Consequently, the return doesn't significantly impact the outcome since your balance is likely to grow with extensive playtime. Even if using traditional slot machines, I would recommend betting as swiftly as possible, pausing only when winning a substantial jackpot that could secure victory in the tournament. This is because the likelihood of all 49 players experiencing losses simultaneously is very slim.

Interestingly, there was a unique slot tournament at Caesars Palace where the final place finisher was awarded a prize. They only disclosed this rule during the awards ceremony, creating a fun twist. If one had prior knowledge of such a rule, it might indeed be more advantageous to avoid betting altogether.

This issue isn’t exclusive to craps; it applies to all table games. The guideline regarding chip coloring—permitting it only upon leaving—comes from the casino's management, so the dealers shouldn't be held responsible. A competent dealer’s role is to keep players adequately supplied with chips, reflecting their betting levels. Coloring up can disrupt this process, leading to shortages and requests to break down large chips, causing delays. Additionally, there may be an implicit expectation that players will refrain from betting with higher-value chips.

Your approach really depends on your gaming objectives. If your aim is to reach a specific winning target, like doubling your bankroll, you should continue doubling until you hit that goal or exhaust the maximum double attempts. Should your intention be to extend playtime with your bankroll, then it's wiser to double only on smaller wins, and just once. If you're balancing both goals, consider a mixed strategy, becoming more aggressive in doubling if winning is your primary concern, or being more conservative if prolonging gameplay is the priority.

To address your initial query, the likelihood that the last 8 cards in an 8-deck shoe are all zero-valued is combination (128,8)/combin(416,8) = 0.0000687746. Therefore, it’s not something one should hold their breath for. There isn't any straightforward formula for other betting scenarios, but if you were to find a casino that allowed computational aid, the advantages towards the end of the shoe could be considerable, especially for the tie.

I can’t think of any practical reason for wanting this information, but since I get these questions often, I’ll indulge you.

It's somewhat easier to achieve a certain sequence of sevens starting with the first roll or concluding with the last, as the sequence is bound on one side. Specifically, the probability of obtaining a sequence of s sevens, starting with the first roll or concluding with the last, is (1/6) multiplied by (5/6). The 5/6 accounts for needing a non-7 at the open end of the sequence.^sWhen starting a sequence of s sevens at any mid-point in the series, it would be (1/6). Here, we square the 5/6 term, as you need a non-7 at both ends.

In a situation where r rolls occur, there will be two possible locations for an internal sequence, along with r-n-1 positions for a stretch of n sevens. By setting these equations in a tabular format, here’s the anticipated number of occurrences of seven sequences, ranging from 1 to 10. The 'internal' column derives from 2*(5/6)*(1/6),^s× (5/6)²where r represents the number of sevens in the sequence. Thus, we expect roughly 3.46 instances of two sevens, 0.57 instances of three sevens, and about 0.10 instances of four sevens.

Accurately formulated strategies and insights for gambling games such as blackjack, craps, roulette, and numerous others that can be played.^r, and the \"outside\" column is (179-r)*(5/6)²*(1/6)^rPlease check your email and click on the link we provided to finalize your registration.