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Three of a Kind (Posted on 2003-11-19) Difficulty: 4 of 5
You have a standard pack of 52 playing cards. You then shuffle them and begin to draw out cards until you have three of a kind. What is the most likely number of cards drawn when this happens?

You then shuffle another pack of 52 playing cards into the pile. What happens to the expected number of cards now? (i.e. does it double / halve / stay the same?)

No Solution Yet Submitted by Lewis    
Rating: 4.4000 (10 votes)

Comments: ( Back to comment list | You must be logged in to post comments.)
Question re: I think I've got it. (No computer program used). | Comment 11 of 39 |
(In reply to I think I've got it. (No computer program used). by Dan)

Dan,

I agree with Cory (and my previous posts) that the intended three of a kind doesn't involve a "poker hand of five".....

But even allowing for the "poker" three of a kind.... I don't understand your analysis.

In particular, I don't understand your comment:
"You can only achieve a true 'three of a kind' hand by drawing between 5 and 14 cards.""

Why couldn't I draw, for example, 2 Aces's, 2 2's, 2 3's, etc... all the way to 2 Kings (2 x 13 = 26 cards), before being forced to draw the third of a kind of any rank?

--- SK
  Posted by SilverKnight on 2003-11-20 11:14:21

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