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MATCH GAME
EFFECT:
A game of "chance", that you'll never lose.
ROUTINE:
Two players, taking from twenty matchsticks, pick up one, two, or three matches on each turn.
Whoever picks up the final, remaining match, is the loser.
PROPS:
20 matchsticks (or 20 coins, slips of paper, pieces of candy, etc.)
METHOD:
No matter who goes first, you will win if you follow this basic formula:
With each draw, be sure that you leave your opponent with seventeen, thirteen, nine, or five matches.
These are the key numbers. Once you leave your opponent one of these amounts, you can't lose.
When leaving a key number of matches, calculate how many to take on your next turn by
looking at the remaining matches in groups of four. See how many matches your opponent
takes, then take enough to make that total four.
If he takes one, you take three.
If he takes two, you take two.
If he takes three, you take one.
This puts you automatically at the next key number.
If you have to select against a key number (17, 13, 9, or 5), take only
one match, giving yourself the greatest opportunity to hit a key number.
If you start the game, take three matches on your first move.
NOTE:
Mathematicians call this "The Game of Nim". It has been described as "a mathematically perfect game." To win the game every time, you must use a "system." Once you have the system working for you (hitting a key
number), you can't lose, unless you make a mistake in subtracting groups of four.
The Match Game is reprinted from Bob Friedhoffer's "Magic Tricks, Science Facts."
Copyright 1990 by Bob Friedhoffer.
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