← Optiver Interview Insights

Optiver·Software Engineer·Technical Phone Screen·Intermediate

Intermediate
Jun 2026

Summary

Optiver put me through a rapid-fire probability gauntlet for a software engineering role. Six questions back to back, no warmup, just math. Some I handled fine, a couple I fumbled under the time pressure.

Questions Asked (6)

Q1

When rolling two fair six-sided dice, what is the probability distribution of the sum?

Algorithms & Data Structures
Author's notes

I knew this one cold.

Create a free account to read the full note

AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by defining the sample space of 36 equally likely outcomes for two dice. Then, for each possible sum from 2 to 12, count the number of outcomes that yield that sum and divide by 36 to get the probability. Present the distribution clearly, perhaps in a table or as a formula.

Pro tip: Mention that the distribution is symmetric around 7 and that the probabilities follow a triangular pattern, which can be derived combinatorially. This shows deeper insight and can lead to a discussion of generating functions or convolution.

1. Define the sample space

State that each die has 6 faces, so there are 6 x 6 = 36 equally likely outcomes when rolling two dice.

2. List possible sums

Identify that the sum can range from 2 (1+1) to 12 (6+6).

3. Count outcomes for each sum

For each sum s, count the number of pairs (i, j) with i + j = s, where i and j are integers from 1 to 6. This can be done systematically or by using the formula: count = 6 - |s - 7| for s from 2 to 12.

4. Compute probabilities

Divide each count by 36 to get the probability for each sum. For example, P(sum=2) = 1/36, P(sum=7) = 6/36 = 1/6.

5. Present the distribution

Summarize the probabilities in a table or list, and note the symmetry and the most likely sum (7).

Key Points to Mention

  • The sample space has 36 equally likely outcomes.
  • The sum ranges from 2 to 12.
  • The number of ways to get sum s is 6 - |s - 7|.
  • The distribution is symmetric around 7.
  • The probabilities are: 1/36, 2/36, 3/36, 4/36, 5/36, 6/36, 5/36, 4/36, 3/36, 2/36, 1/36 for sums 2 through 12 respectively.
  • The expected value of the sum is 7.

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.

Q2

From a standard 52-card deck, if the top 10 cards are discarded face-down without being seen, what is the probability the next card drawn is red?

Algorithms & Data Structures
Author's notes

This is the one that trips people up and I almost let it trip me too.

Create a free account to read the full note

AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Recognize that discarding unseen cards does not change the overall probability of drawing a red card from the remaining deck. The probability remains the same as drawing a red card from a full deck: 26 red out of 52, i.e., 1/2. Explain that the unseen discarded cards are equally likely to be red or black, so the remaining deck's composition is symmetric.

Pro tip: Emphasize that this is a classic probability puzzle testing intuition about conditional probability and symmetry. Avoid overcomplicating with hypergeometric calculations; the key is that without information, the order of drawing doesn't matter.

1. Understand the problem

Clarify that 10 cards are removed face-down without being seen, and we want the probability that the next card drawn is red.

2. Identify symmetry

Note that the deck is symmetric with respect to red and black, and the discarded cards are unknown, so they don't bias the remaining deck.

3. Apply probability principle

Use the fact that the probability of the next card being red is the same as the probability that any specific card in the deck is red, which is 26/52 = 1/2.

4. Confirm with alternative reasoning

Consider that if you randomly permute the deck, the 11th card is equally likely to be any of the 52 cards, so the probability it is red is 1/2.

Key Points to Mention

  • Symmetry between red and black cards in a standard deck.
  • The discarded cards are unseen, so they provide no information about the remaining deck.
  • The probability is independent of the number of cards discarded, as long as they are not revealed.
  • The result is 1/2, or 50%.
  • This is an example of a problem where conditional probability simplifies due to lack of information.
  • Avoid unnecessary complex calculations; rely on fundamental probability principles.

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.

Q3

What is the probability that the sum of two fair dice is 11 or 12?

Algorithms & Data Structures
Author's notes

Quick one.

Create a free account to read the full note

AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

First, clarify that the dice are fair and independent, then enumerate all 36 equally likely outcomes. Count the outcomes that sum to 11 or 12, and compute the probability as the ratio of favorable outcomes to total outcomes.

Pro tip: State your assumptions upfront (fair dice, independent rolls) and consider mentioning how you would verify the result with a quick simulation or by generalizing to n dice, showing both analytical and computational thinking.

1. Clarify assumptions

Confirm that the dice are fair and independent, and that each die has 6 equally likely faces.

2. Define sample space

List all possible outcomes as ordered pairs (die1, die2), totaling 36 equally likely outcomes.

3. Identify favorable outcomes

Count the outcomes that sum to 11: (5,6) and (6,5); and sum to 12: (6,6). Total favorable outcomes = 3.

4. Compute probability

Divide the number of favorable outcomes by the total number of outcomes: 3/36 = 1/12.

5. Verify and generalize

Optionally, verify by simulation or mention how to extend the approach to other sums or multiple dice.

Key Points to Mention

  • Fair dice and independence assumption
  • Total number of outcomes: 6 × 6 = 36
  • Favorable outcomes for sum 11: (5,6) and (6,5)
  • Favorable outcome for sum 12: (6,6)
  • Probability = favorable / total = 3/36 = 1/12
  • Generalization to other sums or number of dice

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.

Q4

In a fair-coin gambler's ruin setup with a starting bankroll of 10, a goal of 20, and absorbing barriers at 0 and 20, what is the probability of reaching 20 before going broke?

Algorithms & Data Structures
Author's notes

Gambler's ruin with a fair coin.

Create a free account to read the full note

AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Recognize this as a classic gambler's ruin problem with a fair coin, where the probability of reaching the goal from a starting bankroll is simply the ratio of the starting bankroll to the goal. State the formula P(reach N | start i) = i/N for a fair game, then plug in i=10 and N=20 to get 1/2. Optionally, briefly justify using the martingale property or solving the recurrence relation.

Pro tip: Mention that this linear result is a special case of the fair game and that for biased games the formula becomes more complex; this shows you understand the underlying assumptions and can generalize.

1. Identify the problem type

Recognize that this is a gambler's ruin problem with absorbing barriers at 0 and 20, and a fair coin (p=0.5).

2. Recall or derive the fair-game formula

For a fair game, the probability of reaching N before 0 starting from i is i/N. This can be derived using martingales or by solving the recurrence P_i = 0.5 P_{i-1} + 0.5 P_{i+1} with boundary conditions P_0=0, P_N=1.

3. Apply the formula

Plug in i=10 and N=20 to get P = 10/20 = 1/2.

4. Verify and interpret

Confirm that the answer makes intuitive sense: starting halfway to the goal in a fair game gives a 50% chance. Optionally, mention that the expected duration is i(N-i) = 100 steps.

Key Points to Mention

  • Gambler's ruin problem with absorbing boundaries at 0 and 20.
  • Fair coin implies p=0.5, so the probability is linear in the starting bankroll.
  • Formula: P(reach N before 0 | start i) = i/N for a fair game.
  • Derivation via martingale (expected value remains constant) or recurrence relation.
  • Answer: 10/20 = 0.5 or 50%.
  • Optional: expected number of steps until absorption is i(N-i) = 100.

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.

Q5

If a fair six-sided die is rolled N times, what is the expected number of times a specific face appears, and what is the variance of that count?

Algorithms & Data Structures
Author's notes

Binomial distribution with p = 1/6 and n = N trials.

Create a free account to read the full note

AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Model each roll as an independent Bernoulli trial where success is the specific face appearing with probability 1/6. Then the count of successes in N rolls follows a Binomial(N, 1/6) distribution, so the expected value is N/6 and the variance is N*(1/6)*(5/6) = 5N/36. Clearly state the distribution and derive the results.

Pro tip: Mention that this is a classic binomial setup and that the independence of rolls is crucial. Also, note that for large N, the binomial can be approximated by a normal distribution, which is often useful in trading contexts.

1. Define the random variable

Let X be the number of times the specific face appears in N rolls. Each roll is independent and has probability p = 1/6 of showing that face.

2. Identify the distribution

Since there are N independent trials with constant success probability, X follows a Binomial distribution: X ~ Binomial(N, p).

3. Compute the expected value

For a binomial random variable, E[X] = N * p. Substitute p = 1/6 to get E[X] = N/6.

4. Compute the variance

For a binomial random variable, Var(X) = N * p * (1-p). Substitute p = 1/6 to get Var(X) = N * (1/6) * (5/6) = 5N/36.

5. Summarize and interpret

State the final answers: expected count = N/6, variance = 5N/36. Optionally, mention that the standard deviation is sqrt(5N/36).

Key Points to Mention

  • Independence of die rolls
  • Bernoulli trial with success probability 1/6
  • Binomial distribution parameters: N trials, p = 1/6
  • Expected value formula: E[X] = Np
  • Variance formula: Var(X) = Np(1-p)
  • Linearity of expectation (alternative derivation for expectation)

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.

Q6

If four fair six-sided dice are rolled, what is the probability that the product of all four outcomes is odd?

Algorithms & Data Structures
Author's notes

For the product to be odd, every single die has to show an odd number.

Create a free account to read the full note

AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Recognize that the product is odd only if all four dice show odd numbers. Compute the probability for one die to be odd (3/6 = 1/2) and raise it to the fourth power, since the rolls are independent. The final answer is (1/2)^4 = 1/16.

Pro tip: State the independence assumption explicitly and note that the number of odd outcomes per die is 3, so the probability is (3/6)^4. This shows you understand the underlying symmetry and avoids overcomplicating the problem.

1. Understand the condition for an odd product

The product of four integers is odd if and only if every integer is odd. So all four dice must show an odd number (1, 3, or 5).

2. Determine the probability for a single die

For a fair six-sided die, there are 3 odd outcomes out of 6, so the probability of rolling an odd number is 3/6 = 1/2.

3. Apply independence

Since the dice rolls are independent, the probability that all four are odd is the product of the individual probabilities: (1/2) × (1/2) × (1/2) × (1/2) = (1/2)^4.

4. Compute the final probability

Calculate (1/2)^4 = 1/16. So the probability is 1/16, or 6.25%.

Key Points to Mention

  • Product is odd only if all factors are odd.
  • Each die has 3 odd outcomes (1,3,5) out of 6 equally likely outcomes.
  • Probability of odd on one die is 1/2.
  • Independence of dice rolls allows multiplication of probabilities.
  • Final answer: (1/2)^4 = 1/16.
  • Alternative approach: count total outcomes (6^4) and favorable outcomes (3^4), then divide: 81/1296 = 1/16.

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.