Game theory

[JTsyo]

Playing a casual game. You are tied for 2nd with the leader a bit ahead. On your move you can either guarantee 2nd or take a 30/70 shot at winning. What would you choose? there are 5 people playing.

I would have thought most would prefer a shot at 1st since there is nothing at stake.

 

[busydude]

Number of players?

 

[Arcadio]

If there is nothing at stake, then as long as there is a chance of winning you should risk it.

 

[hdeck]

If there is nothing at stake, then as long as there is a chance of winning you should risk it.

indeed

 

[DaveSimmons]

It depends on the game and why I'm playing it.

If I'm just playing to have fun, then is that 30/70 attempt more or less fun than what I'm doing now?

 

[BeauJangles]

"It Pays to be a Winner"

Go for it.

 

[highland145]

"No one remembers number 2."

 

[Schadenfroh]

"Live to win, till you die"

 

[gorobei]

"Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen."

 

[sourceninja]

There are winners and there are losers. No such thing as 2nd place.

 

[corwin]

Second place is the first loser...

 

[ElFenix]

if you're not first, you're last

 

[DominionSeraph]

I sacrifice myself to take down the leader so my co-2nd place can take first, with me taking third.

Taking down someone with a coordinated assault is more fun than winning on the roll of the dice.

If that's not an option, I take second. Because a 30% chance of winning is far less than I'm used to, so if the game has gone that poorly I might as well give someone else the chance to win one.

 

[gorcorps]

I don't understand... it sounds to me like the worst you could do is 2nd place the way this is worded. Why wouldn't you try for first anyway? Even if you lose you still get 2nd.

If that's not the case, then fix the OP. If you lose the 30/70 odds do you finish last?

 

[Zargon]

whats a casual game? always play to win

 

[Soundmanred]

"No one remembers number 2."

Try telling zanejohnson that. He not only remembers them, but takes pictures of them.

 

[Jaepheth]

Which placing does my girlfriend currently hold?

 

[JTsyo]

I don't understand... it sounds to me like the worst you could do is 2nd place the way this is worded. Why wouldn't you try for first anyway? Even if you lose you still get 2nd.

If that's not the case, then fix the OP. If you lose the 30/70 odds do you finish last?

In teh case in our game, the guy had a shot at first but could have come in as far as 4th.

 

[highland145]

Try telling zanejohnson that. He not only remembers them, but takes pictures of them.

Ha. Thought I should have worded that differently but I was too lazy.

 

[UncleWai]

your question is incomplete because you didn't define the utility received for various placements.

 

[JTsyo]

your question is incomplete because you didn't define the utility received for various placements.

It's a casual game. There isn't even bragging rights other than for the five minutes after the game.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

What would happen to your placing if you went for first and didn't get it? Would you stay tied for 2nd, or would you drop?

And is that 30% chance completely chance, or dependent on skill?

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Even if the conditions are such that if you don't meet the 30% chance for victory, you are guaranteed to finish last, since there is absolutely no risk involved (being a casual game), there is absolutely no legitimate reason to not try for the win. If this were a situation with actual bonuses tied to any of the various finishing positions (ie, winner gets promoted, loser gets fired), then my answer might change. But a risk/reward analysis of a situation with no repercussions whatsoever is unnecessary. Just go for it and see what happens.

 

[edro]

If there are no stakes, why would you even try for 1st?
All games have stakes. That's what makes it a game.

 

[DrPizza]

I agree with edro. There are always stakes if you're playing against humans.