Impossible Logic Problem?

Question

You are at the horse race at the carnival. There are two horses only. The host gives you 10 lolipops. You can risk any number of lolipops on either or both horses on each race. There will be three races. If you risk correctly, the host will give you double the number of lolipops that you risked. If you have more than 10 lolipops at the end of the three races, you get to keep all of the lolipops. If not, you don't get to keep any. Considering all possible outcomes of the three races, is there any "right" risk of the lolipops to gaurantee that you will get the lolipops 100% of the time?

(I saw this in a puzzle book, but don't know the answer. I don't think it is even possible. Is it? If it is, what scenario gives you the highest probability of taking home the lolipops?)

Answer 1

You can guarantee yourself 10 lollipops at the end by betting 5 pops on each horse on each race, but there is no way to guarantee yourself MORE than 10 pops.  Any unbalanced betting has the possibility of a negative outcome meaning you cannot guarantee more than 10 pops with any betting pattern.

Answer 2

5 one each cant lose

Answer 3

split the ten 5X5 you double up on the win, and only loose 5. Continue to do this on all 3 races.

Answer 4

There is no guaranteed way to come out ahead.  If you bet half on each horse, each time however you will be guaranteed to break even.

Answer 5

I say get the h**l out of there, you already have 10 lollipops, why would you want more sugar?  It's bad for you!!