Buying a double (with tax?)

**Freightman** · 10-27-2016, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by moses

Ex. Math comes in handy for a game of cards played by people. Agility, is for a game of people played with cards.

interesting analogy. Add agility to the math, and you're super seasoned, as in highly nuanced. Utopic.

**Three** · 10-30-2016, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by DSchles

Finally, although it doesn't matter in the slightest what I or any of you think about the 10% tax, it's really quite stupid, if it's a take it or leave it proposition that's being offered to you, not to take it. You all claim to be APs, but what you're saying is that, if you were offered a clearly positive-e.v. bet, you'd hold out for a better deal. And when the player said no to you, then what? You'd tell him "not interested"? How dumb is that?

I assume this may be covered already but you are asking the player to hurt his chances by taking the double. If he gets a A thru 5 (38.5% of the time) he would want another card but your double made him not be able to get it. A 10% "tax" seems fairly reasonable to ask the guy to handicap his chances so you can get a good play. The arrangement is good for both of you. You should do it. I don't understand why others only want to get a plus EV play if it hurts the guy who owns the hand.

**Three** · 10-30-2016, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by DSchles

In fact, it turns out that the guy's asking for a 10% tax on the winnings would be a perfect way to satisfy both players. He now does the same as if he were allowed to hit the hand more than once. The hitting edge is 29%, while the non-doubled edge is 23%. Taxing the winning hand would yield just over 29% to the original bettor, so he would be made whole for not being able to hit more than once. Naturally, a slightly higher tax would make the move profitable for both players. Try doing the math this time; you might like it!

Yep, someone eventually got around to pointing out the "tax" paid for the handicap of the guys hand you were lobbying for and made the arrangement fair rather than taking advantage of him. To me that is an important issue when discussing this beyond the correct answer that you should accept the deal.