When drawing straws. Is it better to go first or last?

Question

If you go first, you have option of picking shortest one before anyone else does. But you ALSO have the chance of picking longest one as well. WHich would you rather pick, first or last? And please say why...NO JR type answers please....lol

Answer 1

I like to go last, everyone else will know their faith ahead of me.

Answer 2

uhh... it's better to go last
cuz when your first, (let's say for example there's 5 straws) you have a 1 in 5 chance of getting the shortest straw.
but when you go last, there are other people before you taking straws, which means that your chances get higher (the chance of getting the shortest straw) as people pick the straws
for example, the next person goes, and now they have a 1 in 4 chance, which means they have a better chance of getting the shortest straw.
then the next person has a 1 in 3 chance, and then a 1 in 2, and then a 1 in 1. so there's more chances of the other people of getting the shortest straw before you do.

Answer 3

I would pick first that way I have more straws to choose from. If you wait to go last there is the chance that some one else might get the short straw before you, but if no one does then you have no other choice but to pick the short Star since it's the only one left. So with that said, what am I drawing straws for? =)

Answer 4

Last. I think the odds of pulling the shortest straw would be the same if you went first or last. Being left with the shortest straw is a heck of a lot better than pulling the shortest straw out of 10 or so possible choices you could have made.

Answer 5

First because shouldn't picking the shortest straw at that point be a 1-8 odds or something like that?

Answer 6

That's a really good question.

Depends what you think is "better".

First if you want to have the least chance of picking the short straw.

But stories only get written about the people who do get the short straw, nobody gives a rat's nipple about the other guys.

So last is better if you want a perilous journey or challenge from which to emerge the victor, proving against the odds that you're the better person.

Existentialism 101, eh?

Answer 7

I suppose I'd rather pick last. If there are a lot of people drawing straws, then someone else will more than likely draw the short one by the time it got to me.

Answer 8

first see if there were 8 straws u have 1/8 chance however if it got to the last 2 you have a 1/2 chance which is 4 times higher than the first

Answer 9

I dont know I think I would rather go last because there is more of a chance that someone else would get the shortest before me!!!! Maybe in the middle would be better! =D

Answer 10

First because there are more straws altogether. I could have a better chance to get the long one that way. If I waited until last, I'd be stuck with whatever is left.

Answer 11

going first would give me the best odd's of not picking the short straw.

ANd if I don't want to do what it is your having the poor looser draw for, then pick first.

Best Odds for me!