>I have a problem where I 
>want to allocate a bonus 
>to one of four parties To one of four perties? Just one? If so, you do not have a problem, right?
So, I assume you want to reward each or several parties.
>in ratio to their existing 
>balance (which can be positive 
>or negative).  If I 
>used their balance over the 
>total I would get wild 
>results.  How can I 
>pro-rate this bonus based on 
>existing balances ? 
You have to devise a policy. There's no single optimal solution. What is the meaning of having a negative balance? Is a party with a negative balance a good customer. Do you benefit more from a customer with a negative balance or that with a positive balance? What kind of behavior would you like to encourage?
For every policy one can design some bonus distribution strategy, but a policy should come first.
Best,
Alexander Bogomolny