Sunday, January 18, 2015

What are sansibaman's chances of pulling this off?

What's the best move?

There are only three possible attacks, so this isn't too hard to figure out by brute force -- but can you see it quickly?

ElihuRoot performed Power attack using [(X=4):4] against [(12):3]; Defender (12) was captured; Attacker (X=4) rerolled 4 => 1.
Game #3311  •  ElihuRoot (Buddy) vs. sansibaman (Kith)  •  Round #5
Opponent's turn to attack

s(6) (10) s(20) (20) (X)
Button: Buddy
Player: ElihuRoot
W/L/T: 2/2/0 (3)  •  Score: 53 (+9.3 sides)
Dice captured: (X=18), (8), (12)
s(6)
4
s(20)
18
(X=4)
1
1
(6)
12
(12)
 3 
(12)
Dice captured: (10), (20)
W/L/T: 2/2/0 (3)  •  Score: 39 (-9.3 sides)
Player: sansibaman
Button: Kith
(6) (8) (12) (12) (X)

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

No - I definitely don't see it quickly. :(

I think sansibaman can win by capturing the d6 and the d4, and not giving up either of their dice.

The 3 possible moves are

[(12):12]-->[(6):4] leaving d6 captured by d4 immediately

[(12):12]-->[(4):1] leaving d12 vulnerable to d6 on a 4, 5, or 6?

[(6):1]-->[(4):1] leaving d6 vulnerable to d6 on a 4, 5 or 6?

I think the middle option has the best chance of success. 75% versus 50%.

This game is difficult (fun), and I still don't get it. :)

Ted said...

That's close, but the middle case is not *quite* that good: if the d12 rolls 4,5,6 it's captures, but if it rolls 1 or 2, you have to pass without capturing the s6 and still wind up behind on points. you win with if it rerolls 7-12 or with a 3, so it wins with probability 7/12 (58.3)% -- still the best move.

This really just restates the computation, but somehow feels easier to me: You know you must capture both dice without losing any more of your own -- that forces you to capture the X4 on your first attack, and then the question is which way of taking it gives more chances of avoiding recapture *and* capturing the s6.