Need help with strategy for a simple game for a book I am writing:

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around developing a strategy for a card game called Pinochle, specifically focusing on the mechanics of scoring and decision-making based on the outcomes of rolling a die. Participants explore various scenarios and rules that could guide strategic choices in the game.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests subtracting from their score when behind and allowing the opponent to add when ahead, as long as it does not allow the opponent to surpass them.
  • Another participant questions the strategy in tied or closely matched scores and suggests considering different phases of the game (beginning, middle, end).
  • Clarification is sought regarding the winning condition, specifically whether a player must reach exactly 40 points or can exceed it.
  • A later reply emphasizes that the strategy should remain consistent regardless of the game's phase, using a football match analogy to illustrate the importance of time and scoring dynamics.
  • It is proposed that if players are of unequal skill, the strategy may differ based on the player's strength, suggesting that a stronger player might prefer to subtract to allow more time for a comeback.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the optimal strategy in various score situations, particularly regarding tied scores and the implications of player skill levels. No consensus is reached on a definitive strategy.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the need for a set of rules to guide decision-making but do not resolve the complexities of different game phases or player skill disparities.

Who May Find This Useful

Writers or game designers interested in strategy development for games, particularly those involving scoring mechanics and player decision-making processes.

rakbeater
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
I hope this is the right forum to put this in. This is a strategy I am trying to fine tune for a book I am writing about the card game Pinochle.

Here are the rules:

Two player game - First player to 40 points wins. Game starts 0 points to 0 points.

Players alternate turns.

One turn consists of rolling one six-sided die (numbers 1-6) and adding that number to your score.

Here is where the strategy comes into play...

If your opponent rolls a 5 or 6, you have the option to keep your opponent from adding that number to their score and instead subtracting it from your score.

So if the score is 10 to 10 and your opponent rolls a 5, the score would be 15 to 10. You have the option to subtract that 5 instead of allowing your opponent to add to his score. That would make the score 10 to 5. You would be down 5 either way.

The strategy question is...in what score situations would you choose to subtract from your score instead of letting your opponent add to his score? Can you make a set of rules to guide your decision making process for each score situation?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I would subtract whenever I am behind and allow him to add whenever I am ahead as long as doing so would not get him ahead...

I don't know the game but for what you say I don't think there is much to it, just keep the guy away from 40 when you're behind and allow him to get close to you when you're ahead. Am I missing something?
 
What about in situations where the score is tied or very close?

And at different points in the game (beginning, middle, end)?
 
rakbeater said:
First player to 40 points wins.

The first player to get exactly 40 points or the first player to get 40 or more points?
 
Stephen Tashi said:
The first player to get exactly 40 points or the first player to get 40 or more points?

I apologize, that part wasn't clear. First player to get 40 or more points. Thanks.
 
rakbeater said:
What about in situations where the score is tied or very close?

And at different points in the game (beginning, middle, end)?

The rule still applies, think about it in the following example; imaging it is a football match and whoever has the highest score after 40 minutes wins, well, in that scenario if you are ahead you want the match to finish the sooner the better, and if you are behind you want the match to have more minutes so that you have more chances to recover.

So it does not matter what point of the game you're at; if after the addition/subtraction you are behind then you subtract, otherwise you add.

Just one more comment, in this analysis I am assuming that both players are equally good. If by subtracting or adding you end up in a tie but you are much better player, then you should subtract so that you have "more minutes" to beat the weaker opponent, inversely, if you are a weaker opponent it would be better for you to add so that you both are close to the end of the match and you can hope a stroke of luck might give you the final victory.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Optimizing Dice Game Strategy Against Automated Players - Any Tips?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
15K
Undergrad What's the Best Strategy for Scoring High in a Six-Dice Game?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
MHB Help with Probability, Roulette, and Population Statistics
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
High School Which probability calculation is "more correct" in Baccarat games?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
Game theory: competitive auction for the money in a chest
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Jumble Word Game with Point Tracker: A Fun Way to Practice Coding
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Undergrad Stochastic Minimax partition problem card game
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
C/C++ Solve C++ Pig Dice Game: Aragorn Wins!
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Graduate Winning Strategy for Player 1 in the 10x20 Lattice Game
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Undergrad Probability to get a certain number or less by throwing two 6-faced die
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K