Pearls Before Swine: Who Can Beat Juan?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the game "Pearls Before Swine," highlighting the challenge of competing against a skilled player named Juan. The game allows players to take pearls from only one row per turn, and participants discuss strategies for determining winning positions, particularly focusing on binary representations of the numbers in each row. The conversation reveals that while one variation of the game is simpler, the current version requires nuanced strategies, especially in smaller scenarios. Players express their experiences and frustrations, with one participant noting a maximum score of 50% against Juan.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of game theory concepts, particularly winning positions.
  • Familiarity with binary number representation and its application in strategy games.
  • Knowledge of the rules and variations of "Pearls Before Swine."
  • Basic strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research advanced game theory strategies for two-player games.
  • Explore binary strategy applications in competitive games.
  • Study the variations of "Pearls Before Swine" and their strategic implications.
  • Practice calculating winning positions in similar combinatorial games.
USEFUL FOR

Game theorists, competitive gamers, and anyone interested in strategic gameplay and problem-solving techniques in two-player games.

gravenewworld
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You're only allowed to take pearls from one row per turn.



Anyways, this is a classic game with two variations. Both have a straightforward solution, I think, but I only remember the other version -- the one where you win if you take the last one.
 
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Who are you talking to Hurkyl? :biggrin:


After playing a few rounds, you start to get the idea.
 
All right, I think I have worked out the way to calculate what a winning position is in this version.
 
Hurkyl said:
All right, I think I have worked out the way to calculate what a winning position is in this version.

What is it? My butt is kicked.
 
The hint is to look at the numbers in each row in binary... The game where you want to take the last one is more straightforward, this version has to tweak the condition when the game is very small.
 
man this game is fun :P
 
I just watch what he does, then make him go first and do that.

Course, this means my score cannot exceed 50%.
 

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