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Divide the Stakes

Two persons sit down to play for a certain sum of money, and agree that the first who gets three games shall be the winner. One of them wins two games and the other one; but, being unwilling to continue, they resolve to divide the stakes. How much should each person receive?

Letter from Blaise Pascal to Pierre de Fermat, July 29, 1654

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"Divide the Stakes," Convergence (December 2004)