Odds-Theorem and Monotonicity

Abstract

Given a finite sequence of events and a well-defined notion of events being interesting, the Odds-theorem (Bruss (2000)) gives an online strategy to stop on the last interesting event. It is optimal for independent events. Here we study questions in how far optimal win probabilities mirror monotonicity properties of the underlying sequence of probabilities of events. We make these questions precise, motivate them, and then give complete answers. This note, concentrating on the original Odds-theorem, is elementary, and the answers are hoped to be of interest. We include several applications.