The Gompertz approximation conjecture for ties in the M&M Game

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Let Ptie(λ)P_{\text{tie}}(\lambda) denote the probability of a tie in the M\textup{&}M Game, where the probability of flipping heads evolves according to an exponential distribution, and let λ\lambda be the rate parameter controlling how quickly that probability increases as M\textup{&}M's are depleted. For large nn, the Gompertz approximation conjecture. the probability of a tie is primarily governed by λ\lambda and satisfies

Ptie(λ)≈exp⁡(−1.22⋅exp⁡(−λ)).P_{\text{tie}}(\lambda)\approx\exp\left(-1.22\cdot\exp(-\lambda)\right).

This is an empirical approximation motivated by simulation results and a Gompertz curve fit; the supplied text gives no proof or resolution, so its status remains open.

References

Primary source

Snehesh Das, Steven J. Miller, Geremias Polanco, Yilong Wu, Xiaochen Wang, April Yang and Chris Yao, “Generalizations of the M&M Game”, arXiv:2502.07402 (2026).

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