Deal or No Deal Calculator
body {
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
line-height: 1.6;
color: #333;
max-width: 1200px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 20px;
}
.dond-container {
background: #fff;
padding: 30px;
border-radius: 12px;
box-shadow: 0 4px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
margin-bottom: 40px;
}
.dond-header {
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 30px;
}
.dond-header h2 {
margin: 0;
color: #2c3e50;
}
.game-board {
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
justify-content: center;
gap: 20px;
margin-bottom: 30px;
}
.column {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: 8px;
width: 100%;
max-width: 250px;
}
.case-btn {
padding: 10px 15px;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
border-radius: 6px;
background: #f8f9fa;
cursor: pointer;
font-weight: bold;
text-align: center;
transition: all 0.2s;
font-size: 16px;
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
align-items: center;
color: #333;
}
.case-btn.left-side {
background: #fff3cd; /* Light yellow for low values */
border-color: #ffeeba;
color: #856404;
}
.case-btn.right-side {
background: #f8d7da; /* Light red for high values */
border-color: #f5c6cb;
color: #721c24;
}
.case-btn:hover {
transform: translateY(-1px);
box-shadow: 0 2px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
}
.case-btn.eliminated {
background: #e9ecef;
color: #adb5bd;
border-color: #dee2e6;
text-decoration: line-through;
opacity: 0.6;
}
.input-section {
background: #f8f9fa;
padding: 20px;
border-radius: 8px;
text-align: center;
max-width: 500px;
margin: 0 auto 30px;
border: 1px solid #e9ecef;
}
.input-group {
margin-bottom: 15px;
text-align: left;
}
.input-group label {
display: block;
margin-bottom: 5px;
font-weight: 600;
}
.input-group input {
width: 100%;
padding: 12px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 6px;
font-size: 16px;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
button.calc-btn {
background: #28a745;
color: white;
border: none;
padding: 15px 30px;
font-size: 18px;
border-radius: 6px;
cursor: pointer;
width: 100%;
font-weight: bold;
transition: background 0.2s;
}
button.calc-btn:hover {
background: #218838;
}
button.reset-btn {
background: #6c757d;
color: white;
border: none;
padding: 10px 20px;
font-size: 14px;
border-radius: 6px;
cursor: pointer;
margin-top: 10px;
}
#results {
display: none;
margin-top: 20px;
padding: 20px;
border-radius: 8px;
background: #e8f5e9;
border: 1px solid #c3e6cb;
}
.result-row {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
margin-bottom: 10px;
padding-bottom: 10px;
border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
}
.result-row:last-child {
border-bottom: none;
margin-bottom: 0;
padding-bottom: 0;
}
.result-label {
font-weight: 600;
color: #555;
}
.result-value {
font-weight: bold;
color: #2c3e50;
font-size: 1.1em;
}
.verdict {
text-align: center;
font-size: 24px;
font-weight: 800;
margin-top: 15px;
padding-top: 15px;
border-top: 2px dashed #a5d6a7;
text-transform: uppercase;
}
.verdict.deal { color: #d32f2f; }
.verdict.nodeal { color: #28a745; }
.article-content {
margin-top: 50px;
background: #fff;
padding: 30px;
border-radius: 12px;
box-shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
}
.article-content h2 {
color: #2c3e50;
border-bottom: 2px solid #eee;
padding-bottom: 10px;
margin-top: 30px;
}
.article-content p {
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.info-box {
background: #e3f2fd;
border-left: 5px solid #2196f3;
padding: 15px;
margin: 20px 0;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.game-board {
flex-direction: row;
}
.column {
width: 45%;
}
}
$0.01
$1
$5
$10
$25
$50
$75
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$750
$1,000
$5,000
$10,000
$25,000
$50,000
$75,000
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$750,000
$1,000,000
Analysis Results
Cases Remaining:
26
Average of Remaining Cases (EV):
$131,477.54
Offer vs. EV:
0%
NO DEAL
(Statistical Recommendation Only)
Understanding the Math Behind Deal or No Deal
Deal or No Deal is one of the most popular game shows in history because it combines pure luck with psychological pressure. However, beneath the suspense, it is fundamentally a game of probability and Expected Value (EV). This calculator helps you make rational decisions by stripping away the emotion and focusing on the mathematics of the remaining cases.
What is Expected Value (EV)?
In the context of Deal or No Deal, the Expected Value represents the average amount of money contained in the unopened cases. It is calculated by summing the values of all remaining cases on the board and dividing by the number of cases left.
Formula: EV = (Sum of Remaining Values) ÷ (Number of Remaining Cases)
For example, if you have two cases left—one containing $10 and one containing $1,000,000—the Expected Value is ($10 + $1,000,000) / 2 = $500,005. This number represents the statistical "fair price" of your case.
The Banker's Algorithm
The "Banker" does not usually offer the full Expected Value. Instead, the offer is typically a percentage of the EV. This percentage changes depending on several factors:
- Early Rounds: The Banker typically offers 20% to 40% of the EV. They want you to keep playing to create good television.
- Middle Rounds: As the game progresses, offers usually rise to 50% – 70% of the EV.
- Late Rounds: If you survive until only a few cases remain, the offer often approaches 80% – 95% of the EV to pressure you into settling.
- Volatility: If the remaining values vary wildly (e.g., $1 vs $1,000,000), the offer is usually lower due to risk aversion. If the values are grouped closely (e.g., $100,000 vs $200,000), the offer is usually higher relative to the EV.
When Should You Say "Deal"?
Mathematically, if the Banker's offer is higher than the Expected Value, it is a statistically excellent deal. You are being paid more than the average worth of the remaining cases.
However, psychology plays a role known as Utility Theory. For most people, the difference between winning $0 and $100,000 is life-changing, while the difference between $100,000 and $200,000 is less significant in terms of lifestyle impact. Therefore, many players should (and do) accept offers below the Expected Value to guarantee a significant sum of money rather than risking it all for a slightly higher statistical average.
Using This Calculator
Use the tool above to track your game:
- Eliminate Cases: Click on the dollar amounts in the columns to gray them out as they are opened during the game.
- Enter Offer: When the Banker calls, input the specific dollar amount offered.
- Analyze: Click "Analyze Offer" to compare the guaranteed cash against the average value of the unopened cases.
function toggleCase(element) {
if (element.classList.contains('eliminated')) {
element.classList.remove('eliminated');
} else {
element.classList.add('eliminated');
}
}
function resetBoard() {
var cases = document.getElementsByClassName('case-btn');
for (var i = 0; i < cases.length; i++) {
cases[i].classList.remove('eliminated');
}
document.getElementById('bankerOffer').value = '';
document.getElementById('results').style.display = 'none';
}
function calculateDeal() {
var cases = document.getElementsByClassName('case-btn');
var offerInput = document.getElementById('bankerOffer').value;
// Validation
if (offerInput === "") {
alert("Please enter the Banker's Offer amount.");
return;
}
var offer = parseFloat(offerInput);
if (isNaN(offer) || offer < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid offer amount.");
return;
}
var sumRemaining = 0;
var countRemaining = 0;
var remainingValues = [];
// Loop through all case buttons to find active ones
for (var i = 0; i 90% of EV, it's a very strong Deal.
// If Offer > EV, it's an undeniable Deal (statistically).
// If Offer = expectedValue) {
verdictText = "DEAL! (Beats Average)";
verdictClass = "deal";
} else if (percentage >= 85) {
verdictText = "STRONG DEAL (Low Risk)";
verdictClass = "deal";
} else if (percentage >= 70) {
verdictText = "CONSIDER DEAL (Fair Offer)";
verdictClass = "deal"; // Coloring amber logic via css usually, but using red/green binary for simplicity
// Let's adjust css for a middle ground if needed, or stick to binary.
// Stick to binary classes but change text.
verdictClass = "nodeal"; // Actually, 70% is usually considered 'No Deal' in early rounds, but 'Deal' in late.
// Let's refine based on remaining cases.
if(countRemaining <= 5) {
verdictText = "DEAL (High Stakes)";
verdictClass = "deal";
} else {
verdictText = "NO DEAL (Offer too low)";
verdictClass = "nodeal";
}
} else {
verdictText = "NO DEAL";
verdictClass = "nodeal";
}
// Display Results
document.getElementById('casesRemaining').innerText = countRemaining;
// Format Currency
var formatter = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', {
style: 'currency',
currency: 'USD',
minimumFractionDigits: 2
});
document.getElementById('expectedValue').innerText = formatter.format(expectedValue);
document.getElementById('offerPercentage').innerText = percentage.toFixed(1) + "% of EV";
var verdictEl = document.getElementById('finalVerdict');
verdictEl.innerText = verdictText;
verdictEl.className = "verdict " + verdictClass;
document.getElementById('results').style.display = 'block';
}