## A note on bounds for the odds theorem of optimal stopping.(English)Zbl 1059.60056

The odds theorem gives a unified answer to a class of stopping problems on sequences of independent indicator functions. It can be applied to natural stopping problems such as, for example, the secretary problem, the group-interview problem, the last-peak problem, but also to many other simple problems of games, betting or investment. The success probability of the optimal rule is known to be larger than $$R e^{-R}$$, where $$R$$ defined in the theorem satisfies $$R \geq 1$$ in the more interesting case. This result is strenghened by showing that $$1/e$$ is then a lower bound. This best possible uniform lower bound extends to the general setting of the odds theorem.

### MSC:

 60G40 Stopping times; optimal stopping problems; gambling theory
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### References:

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