The Schnapsen Log

October 27, 2012

Odds and Expectation

Martin Tompa

Unfortunately, luck was not with you in that last deal against Katharina in tonight’s tournament. Though you found the play with the best expected gain, the wrong card was face-down in the stock. As a result, Katharina is now only 1 game point from winning this match. The pressure is on.

Unseen cards:
♠ —
♥ J
♣ ATK
♦ TQ

Your cards:
♠ A
♥ T
♣ Q
♦ AK

Trump: ♦J
Stock: 1 face-down card
Game points: Katharina 1, You 4
Trick points: Katharina 38, You 41
On lead: You

Your hand looks promising, but trump control seems balanced on a knife edge. Plan your play. When you think you have come up with a good plan, you are welcome to read my analysis.

© 2012 Martin Tompa. All rights reserved.

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About the Author

Martin Tompa (tompa@psellos.com)

I am a Professor of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington, where I teach discrete mathematics, logic, probability, design and analysis of algorithms, and other related courses. I have always loved playing games. Games are great tools for learning to think logically but, more important, seem to me an integral part of happy family or social life. I will be delighted if game-players, parents, teachers, and students find this series fun and useful.

My excitement about Schnapsen was rekindled by playing against an iPhone program called Master Schnapsen/66 written by two friends at Psellos. Set to play at its “Master” level of difficulty, this program is one of the two most formidable opponents I have found. It comes up with surprising and brilliant plays, and I have learned an enormous amount of Schnapsen strategy by playing with it. Nearly every deal in this Schnapsen Log arose during those hours of playing with Master Schnapsen/66.