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 February 2nd, 2018, 05:26 AM #1 Newbie   Joined: Feb 2018 From: Ocala Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Can you calculate how to do this? I bet your math skills can't help me, but maybe I'm wrong and there's a genius out there. Let's see. Can anyone show me how to make a profit from the following scenario? Scenario: I bet \$1 each on 8 favorites in 8 horse races and I get 4 winners and 4 losers... Race 1: Win: Dividend \$1.50 Race 2: Loss Race 3: Win: Dividend \$1.50 Race 4: Win: Dividend \$1.50 Race 5: Win: Dividend \$1.50 Race 6: Loss Race 7: Loss Race 8: Loss The question is ...... \$8 in total is invested, and the total return is \$6 ..... so using creative mathematics how can I produce a return from these 8 results that amounts to more than \$8? I reckon there's some mathematical way to do it. The 4 bets are not allowed to be increased and must remain at \$1, and the dividends must remain at \$1.50 per win, and the precise order of the wins must remain. All bets are for the win only and no other types of bets allowed. Can anyone do it? Most people would say "the dividends add up to \$6, so that's the maximum return you can get for \$1 bets". I need a mathematical genius to find a way to do it. Last edited by skipjack; February 2nd, 2018 at 05:54 AM.
 February 2nd, 2018, 06:37 AM #2 Senior Member   Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 229 Thanks: 81 Can't be done. Mathematically it can be rigorously proven by the martingale optional stopping theorem that this is an impossibility. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optional_stopping_theorem
February 2nd, 2018, 06:46 AM   #3
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Quote:
 Originally Posted by Jumbo Can anyone do it? Most people would say "the dividends add up to \$6, so that's the maximum return you can get for \$1 bets". I need a mathematical genius to find a way to do it.
I figured out a way.
$1.50 + 1.50 + 1.50 + 1.50 = 8$
I guess I'm a genius. Mom will be so proud.

 February 2nd, 2018, 01:48 PM #4 Global Moderator   Joined: May 2007 Posts: 6,435 Thanks: 562 Don't bet on losers!
February 2nd, 2018, 02:01 PM   #5
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Quote:
 Originally Posted by Jumbo The question is ...... \$8 in total is invested, and the total return is \$6 ..... so using creative mathematics how can I produce a return from these 8 results that amounts to more than \\$8?
Invest the six bucks in bitcoin and HODL!

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