We’re going to run a game here in which we ask readers to predict a few things about Tuesday’s election. The main point is to have a little fun. But we’re also interested in conducting something of an economic experiment. Here’s the idea: In the last few years, several prediction markets have sprung up on the Web. In these markets, traders buy and sell contracts tied to real-world events — like elections.

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Such markets aren’t new, either. They during the 18th and 19th centuries in this country — when losers sometimes had to pay up by rolling peanuts down a local street with a toothpick — and as far back as 16th-century Italy. The prices in these prediction markets reflect the cumulative belief of traders about the likelihood of different outcomes, much as stock prices are a reflection of stock traders’ beliefs about companies.

Right now, for instance, the prices on — probably the best-known market — suggest that Barack Obama has about an 85 percent chance of winning Tuesday’s election. These odds, in turn, have been reported by newspapers, magazines and TV networks and also receive prominent space on the widely read Web site. Economists, though, are divided about how meaningful these odds are. Some think they’re — the best available synthesis of all the polls and other information that is available.

(In 2004, the odds correctly forecast the winner of the presidential election in every state.) Other economists think the markets are still. That’s where our game comes in. It’s easy to play. You just answer three questions of your choosing, from the list of 20 questions below, plus one tiebreaker question (designated below) about the popular vote.

Some of the questions deal with the presidential race (for instance: Who will win North Carolina?) and some deal with Congressional races (who will win the Minnesota Senate race?). The twist is that you will be awarded points based on the Intrade odds.

So go ahead and pick Barack Obama to become the next president if you believe the recent polls — but you’ll get many fewer points (1.2) if he wins than if you pick John McCain and he wins (6.7). These points are directly proportional to the odds, and if you want to understand more about the math — which is pretty basic — click. After the election, we will name a winner, showering untold glory on him or her. And we’ll also have a result from our experiment: How good will Economix readers be at discovering the odds that aren’t quite right? As a group, will you discover inefficiencies in the market? The questions appear below.

To enter, use the comment form and write in your three answers (no fewer, no more!). These entries will not be posted. Include your name and e-mail address. We will post your name only if you win. No one will be asked to roll peanuts through Times Square.

And this is important: You also need to answer a tiebreaker question, “What will be the winner’s share of the popular vote, rounded to the nearest 10th of a percentage point?” No need to name the winner; just give us his share of the popular vote. Eileen Fisher Repositioning The Brand Pdf. All entries must be submitted before 6 a.m.