Bridge Probabilities exactly 1 person with 1 suit?

In summary: You have to account for the possibility that 2 or 3 or 4 are all dealt the same suit...that's where the exactly one, one particular comes in.Thanks for the reply!
  • #1
ti-84minus
7
0

Homework Statement


In the game of bridge, four players are dealt 13 cards each from a well-shuffled deck of 52 playing cards. What is the probability that one of the players holds a hand that is made up of only one suit?


Homework Equations


nCr = n!/(r!(n-r)!)


The Attempt at a Solution


I know that when 1 player is dealt all of one particular suit, it should be 4/52C13
But for some reason, the answer at the back of the book for this question is very strange:
([(42*39!)/(13!3*3!) - (62*26!)/(13!2*2!) + 24] / (52!/(13!4*4!)

and this isn't equal to 4/52C13...

Since I already have the answer, I would like a thorough explanation of why it is so...
Thanks a lot!
:)
 
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  • #2
You have stated three different problems in your post!

  1. What are the odds that exactly one person is dealt an entire suit
  2. What are the odds that one person is dealt an entire suit
  3. What are the odds that one particular person is dealt an entire suit

I imagine you will be able to solve things yourself once you can recognize how these are three different problems.
 
  • #3
Thanks for the reply!
But I still do not recognize the difference between those three.
exactly one person,

one person,

one particular person.
Shouldn't they all equal to 4/52C13.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #4
You have to account for the possibility that 2 or 3 or 4 are all dealt the same suit...that's where the exactly one, one particular comes in.
 
  • #5
ti-84minus said:
Thanks for the reply!
But I still do not recognize the difference between those three.
exactly one person,
exactly one of East, West, North, or South is dealt all the same suit

one person,
At least one but possibly more are dealt all the same suit.

one particular person.
North is dealt all the same suit.

(or "South is dealt all the same suit" or "East is dealt all the same suit" or "West is dealt all the same suit". Those four have the same probability.)
Shouldn't they all equal to 4/52C13.
 

Related to Bridge Probabilities exactly 1 person with 1 suit?

1. What is the probability of exactly one person having one suit in a game of bridge?

The probability of exactly one person having one suit in a game of bridge is approximately 41.67%. This means that in a standard game of four players, there is a 41.67% chance that only one player will have all the cards of a particular suit.

2. How is the probability of exactly one person having one suit calculated in bridge?

The probability of exactly one person having one suit in bridge is calculated using combination and permutation formulas. It takes into account the total number of possible combinations of suits and the number of ways one player can have all the cards of a specific suit.

3. Can more than one player have one suit in a game of bridge?

Yes, it is possible for more than one player to have one suit in a game of bridge. However, the probability of this happening decreases as the number of players increases. In a game with four players, the probability of two players having one suit each is approximately 15.74%.

4. How does the probability of exactly one person having one suit affect the outcome of a bridge game?

The probability of exactly one person having one suit can greatly affect the outcome of a bridge game. This player will have a significant advantage as they can easily control the suit they have and potentially win more tricks. This can also impact bidding strategies and overall gameplay.

5. Is the probability of exactly one person having one suit the same for all suits in bridge?

No, the probability of exactly one person having one suit is not the same for all suits in bridge. Since the distribution of cards among players is random, the probability of one player having all the cards of a particular suit will vary for each suit. For example, the probability of one player having all the spades is different from the probability of one player having all the diamonds.

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