It's time for The Big Showdown

[Sonic Whammy]

OK, I've had this question rattling around in my head for years, and every time I want to ask it, I'm nowhere near a computer. So before I forget it yet again, I'm gonna spit it out.

I have always been curious as to what exactly happens when someone takes that first roll of the SHOW DOWN dice for $10,000 and only one of the words shows up (SHOW and 4, for instance). How exactly does that affect the determination of the payoff point? If it was a SHOW and 4, would the point be 4 or would you have to roll that die again? This question especially has be curious because of what the rule would be if your roll came up with one word... and a 1 on the other dice. If that made 1 your point, then you're in deep trouble, as the only ways to do it are SHOW and 1, or 1 and DOWN.

Not good when you're racing against the clock for $5,000 and could use all the bonuses you can get...

So what WAS the rule, anyway? Any guesses, send 'em along.

[JasonA1]

The words don't count as a point. Show & 1 would be a payoff of 1.

-Jason

[Robert Hutchinson]

In that situation, a payoff point of 1 is still better than a 10, and stands even with a 9. (1/18 chance of rolling a 1 or 9, 1/36 chance of rolling a 10.)

[Sonic Whammy]

Got a point there on the probability.

Funny, I just discussed probability with my HSPA classes today...

[Craig Karlberg]

Since a payoff point of 1 is one of the 2nd lowest probable rolls(1 in 18), the lowest probable roll is SHOWDOWN at 1 in 36.

Conversely, the 2 best probable rolls are 5 & 6(1 in 6).

In short, for frequent payoff point rolls, try a 5 or 6.  For big bucks($5,000 or $10,000), try for SHOWDOWN.

[WilliamPorygon]

[quote name=\'Craig Karlberg\' date=\'Sep 14 2004, 05:14 AM\']Since a payoff point of 1 is one of the 2nd lowest probable rolls(1 in 18), the lowest probable roll is SHOWDOWN at 1 in 36.[/quote]
Gee thanks, because I'm sure nobody understood what Robert said two posts ago.

[quote name=\'Craig Karlberg\' date=\'Sep 14 2004, 05:14 AM\']In short, for frequent payoff point rolls, try a 5 or 6.  For big bucks($5,000 or $10,000), try for SHOWDOWN.[/quote]

Really?  Who would have ever thought of that?

[tvwxman]

[quote name=\'Craig Karlberg\' date=\'Sep 14 2004, 04:14 AM\'] Since a payoff point of 1 is one of the 2nd lowest probable rolls(1 in 18), the lowest probable roll is SHOWDOWN at 1 in 36.

Conversely, the 2 best probable rolls are 5 & 6(1 in 6).

In short, for frequent payoff point rolls, try a 5 or 6.  For big bucks($5,000 or $10,000), try for SHOWDOWN. [/quote]
 Wow. I wonder if the producers of the show realized that 29 years ago.

First producer : "Hey, you know, if these contestants want the big money, they'll have to roll for that showdown, right?"

2nd producer : "Right...but if they don't get it on the first roll, they have a better chance of winning money if they get a good payoff point, like a 5 or 6! "

First producer : "Glad we figured that out!"



You do realize that you have once again added nothing to the conversation, right? GEEZ!

[Speedy G]

[quote name=\'Craig Karlberg\' date=\'Sep 14 2004, 04:14 AM\']Since a payoff point of 1 is one of the 2nd lowest probable rolls(1 in 18), the lowest probable roll is SHOWDOWN at 1 in 36.

Conversely, the 2 best probable rolls are 5 & 6(1 in 6).

In short, for frequent payoff point rolls, try a 5 or 6.  For big bucks($5,000 or $10,000), try for SHOWDOWN.[/quote]
That's not quite right, comments about the usefulness of said info aside...

A six can come up only 5 ways with the Showdown dice: 1-5, 2-4, 3-3, 4-2, 5-1.  Only the five can come up six ways (SHOW-5, 1-4, 2-3, 3-2, 4-1, 5-DOWN).

Add 2 to each roll of the Showdown dice, and you have the equivalent roll on a normal pair of dice.  Assuming SHOW and DOWN are zero, of course (and they were always treated as such).  0-10 then becomes 2-12, and if you can't figure those odds out or find them online, you certainly have GEEZ!-worthy problems.

[Robert Hutchinson]

[quote name=\'Craig Karlberg\' date=\'Sep 14 2004, 04:14 AM\']Since a payoff point of 1 is one of the 2nd lowest probable rolls(1 in 18), the lowest probable roll is SHOWDOWN at 1 in 36.[/quote]
It's tied with DOWNSHOW, actually.

("Since"?)

[Sonic Whammy]

OK, since I'M the math teacher here, here's all of the probabilities you need to know:

(Note: All probabilities based out of 36 outcomes)

1: 2/36
2: 3/36
3: 4/36
4: 5/36
5: 6/36
6: 5/36
7: 4/36
8: 3/36
9: 2/36
10: 1/36
SHOWDOWN: 1/36

So like said by everyone, 10 and SHOWDOWN have the weakest odds at 1/36, and 5 has the best with 6/36. And interestingly enough, Andy hit 5 twice and each of the others once during his rolls on the Falldown ep. But a bad way of playing the odds.

Thanks a lot for your help on clearing up the rules, guys. It means a lot.