Google Answers Logo
View Question
 
Q: Cards - probability of a specific hand ( No Answer,   2 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Cards - probability of a specific hand
Category: Science > Math
Asked by: averagegolfer-ga
List Price: $2.00
Posted: 09 Nov 2005 12:35 PST
Expires: 09 Nov 2005 18:21 PST
Question ID: 591136
4 of us are playing a game with a traditional deck of 52 cards.  9
cards are dealt to player 1 (p1) and 13 cards are dealt to each of the
remaining players (p2, p3, p4), leaving 4 cards that are discarded. 
Assume that 6 of the 9 cards dealt to p1 are of the same suit (ie
hearts) and the remaining 3 cards are non-hearts.  What is probability
that one of the other players (p2, p3 or p4) are dealt the jack of
hearts along with 3 other hearts?  It doesn't matter if that other
player has more than 3 hearts in addition to the jack, just that they
have the jack and at least 3 other hearts.
Answer  
There is no answer at this time.

Comments  
Subject: Re: Cards - probability of a specific hand
From: manuka-ga on 09 Nov 2005 16:11 PST
 
First of all, note that there's a 6/13 chance that the jack of hearts
is in p1's hand.

On the assumption that p1 does not have the jack of hearts, there is a
13/43 chance for each of the other players to be dealt the jack, and a
4/43 chance that it winds up in the discard pile.

If we assume that a specific player other than p1 has the jack - say
p2 - then we have 6 remaining hearts and 42 cards left in total (p1's
nine cards are all accounted for). What's the probability that of p2's
12 remaining cards, at least three are hearts?

Well, he can have -
 three hearts in 6C3.36C9 = 20.94143280 = 1882865600 ways
  four hearts in 6C4.36C8 = 15.30260340 =  453905100 ways
  five hearts in 6C5.36C7 =  6.8347680  =   50086080 ways
   six hearts in 6C6.36C6 =  1.1947792  =    1947792 ways
for a total of 2388804572 ways.
The probability is therefore 2388804572 / 42C12 = 161889 / 749406 = 21.60%.

But remember, this only applies on the assumption that p2 has the jack
of hearts. If we still assume that p1 doesn't have it, the chances of
p2 having it are 13/43, so we get 13/43 * 21.60% = 6.53%. But p3 and
p4 have the same chance, so the probability that one of them has it is
3*6.53% = 19.59%.

We are still assuming that p1 doesn't have the jack of hearts. The
probability of this is 7/13, so the final answer to your question is
7/13 * 19.59% = 10.55%.
Subject: Re: Cards - probability of a specific hand
From: averagegolfer-ga on 09 Nov 2005 18:21 PST
 
Wow!  I tried a couple of ways trying to come up with an answer but
none were close and none were as thoughtfully explained as yours. 
Thanks, manuka.

Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service.

If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-support@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you.
Search Google Answers for
Google Answers  


Google Home - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy