Jane Street

Interview Question

Assistant Trader Interview
Jane Street

We are playing a game with an unbiased 30-sided die. Before rolling, both players pick distinct numbers between 1 and 30. After rolling the die, if the number rolled is closer to your number, I pay you the number on the die in dollars. If it is closer to my number, you pay me the number on the die in dollars. If it is equidistant, neither pays. What is the optimal strategy: should you go first or second, and how should you pick your number? What is your expected value?

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