Poker Math That Matters

159
2. There are three cups upside down on a table.
Underneath one is a green ball. Underneath another is a
red ball. Underneath another is an orange ball. If you
pick green, you win $5. Pick red, you lose $2. Pick
orange, you lose $1. What is the EV of picking one cup?
Answer:
Each cup is 1
= 0.33
3
0.33($5) + 0.33(-$2) + 0.33(-$1) = x
$1.65 - $0.66 - $0.33 = $0.66
3. Someone holds out a deck of cards. If you pick out a K,
they’ll give you $10. If you do not, you owe them $1.
What is the EV of this wager?
Answer:
Kings: 4
= 0.077
52
Not kings: 48
= 0.923
52
0.077($10) + 0.923(-$1) = x
$0.77 -$0.923 = (-$0.153)