Can You Solve the Pearl Puzzle?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a brainteaser game known as the Pearl Puzzle, where participants aim to leave their opponent with only one pearl. The conversation includes strategies for winning the game, frustrations with the game's difficulty, and comparisons between different versions of the puzzle.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express frustration with the magician character in the game, indicating a strong emotional response to the challenge.
  • Several participants suggest that using binary numbers is a key strategy to win against the magician.
  • One participant proposes that players should avoid allowing the magician to create specific combinations of pearls, such as rows containing 1, 2, and 3 pearls.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of preventing the magician from having two rows with the same number of pearls, suggesting this as a winning strategy.
  • There are multiple strategies discussed, including removing specific rows at the start of the game to gain an advantage.
  • Some participants note that there are sequences that can guarantee a win, but the effectiveness of these strategies appears to vary among players.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of frustration and strategies, with no clear consensus on the best approach to winning the game. Some strategies are proposed as effective, but others indicate that they have not worked for them, highlighting ongoing disagreement.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific game states and strategies without providing a complete mathematical framework or proof for their claims, leaving some assumptions and conditions unaddressed.

chief
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Can you beat the magician?

I guess this is somehwat of a brainteaser, but the brainteaser section seems to only be used for the contest... I'm new so forgive me if this is in the wrong forum.

Anyways, here is the game. The object is to leave your opponent with 1 pearl. You can delete as many pearls as you want to (on one row) when it is your turn. Sounds easy, right? Good luck... if nobody figures it out I will post hints later. :biggrin:

http://www.transcience.com.au/pearl2.html




and advanced users can try this one...

http://www.transcience.com.au/pearl3.html
 
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I hate that magician. hate him hate hate hate him
 
Okay, I finally beat him. I was getting pretty damn frustrated for a while though.
 
tribdog said:
I hate that magician. hate him hate hate hate him

LOL... yeah, that's what I said at first too. With a little math, there is a way to beat him every time though.

hint: you have to use binary numbers. :)
 
hehehe...this game here..

http://www.transcience.com.au/pearl2.html

It's interesting how this other site here is the same game, but the computer removes pearls from the left end instead of right ends of the rows hehe.

all you have to do is to not allow the magician in pearl2 to make a 1, 2, and 3 pearl combination. That is, don't allow him to get 3 rows, where a row contains 1 pearl, another row contains 2 pearls, and another contains 3 pearls.

eg..don't let him get these...
O
OO
OOO

or

OOO
OO
O

or

OO
O
OOO

etc

It's your job to try to get the 3 row: 1, 2, 3 pearl combination, which is one of the checkmate moves.

Another thing you have to try to do is to stop the magician from making 2 rows having the same number of pearls. That's your job to get it...which is another checkmate move.

Eg..you try to get ..
OO
OO

or
OOO
OOO

or

OOOO
OOOO

or

OOOOO
OOOOO

etc

And stop him from being the first to get that kind of pattern.

Another pattern you can always keep in mind to aim for at any chance is three rows, each containing 1 pearl...

eg ...

O
O
O

That's another checkmate move...

To begin the game, I would suggest removing the row with 4 pearls completely..

eg

OOO
OOOO <-- remove this one when you start.
OOOOO
OOOOOO

You should be able to win a lot!


Ok...here's an example ...

if it's your turn to move, and if you have this ..

OOO
OOOOO

OO

Then you will be able to see there's a row with 3 pearls, and row with 2 pearls already. So to win...you just need to remove 3 pearls from the middle row to get this ...

OOO
O
OO

(which is a 1, 2, 3 pearl combination).

Another example..if you have this... and it's your turn..

OOOO

OOOOO
OOOO

then you can see there's 2 rows having the same number of pearls already..
so simply delete the middle row...and you'll get this... (you've won!)

OOOO


OOOO
 
Last edited:
I HATE THAT MAGIACIAN , OMG, IM NEVER GOING TO ATTEMPT THAT GAME EVER AGAIN, OR ELSE I'LL PROABLY GET UP AND DROPKICK MY MONITER

hate him, hate him, and...hate him
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=29304
 
Indeed. He is rather annoying.

The Bob (2004 ©)
 
The second one is really tough...

Edit: Actually, nevermind... There's a sequence that'll make you win every time. :-p
 
Last edited:
Of course there's a sequence in pearl 2 that will let you win very easily every single time hehe. I'd just suggest to go first, and then remove the line with 4 pearls completely...

then you'll get this...
OOO

OOOOO
OOOOOO

Then he will probably do this..

O

OOOOO
OOOOOO

Then you will remove two pearls from the last row to get this ..

O

OOOOO
OOOO

Then you've got him checkmated ... and you'll be on your way to win.
===========================

but if he does this ...

OO

OOOOO
OOOOOO

then you will simply remove 1 pearl from the middle row... so you get this..

OO

OOOO
OOOOOO

And again, you've got him checkmated, and again you've got the game wrapped up.

Eg ..if you does this...

OO

OOOO
OOOOO

Then you do this ..

O

OOOO
OOOOO

and he's done for.
 
  • #10
Kenny_L, I was talking about pearl3. :-p
 
  • #11
Kenny_L said:
Of course there's a sequence in pearl 2 that will let you win very easily every single time hehe. I'd just suggest to go first, and then remove the line with 4 pearls completely...

Not working

The Bob (2004 ©)
 

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