Anti-Chicken strategy,
and Get Poor Quick schemes
3 January 2005
By Mark Pilarski
Dear Mark,
Back in July you answered a question about a
casino having a chicken versus a Tic-Tac-Toe
game. You incorrectly state that there is an
advantage to going first in Tic-Tac-Toe. With
perfect strategy, all Tic-Tac-Toe games will
result in a tie, regardless of who goes first.
Steve H.
You are correct, Steve. Tic-Tac-Toe is a
zero-sum game. If both players use optimal
strategy, every game will end in a tie. And just
to sweeten your observation, computer studies
have shown that Tic-Tac-Toe cannot be won
against a "perfect" opponent. So, how is it that
Ginger, the erudite hen, playing for more than
three years at the Tropicana, lost just five
times, with her only advantage - i.e. casino
advantage-being that she had first peck?
I believe it sorta depends on who is playing
whom, and who's doing the thinking. Amazingly,
few people who have matched-up against Ginger in
the $10,000 Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken Challenge appear
to know optimal, or for that matter, any Tic-Tac-Toe
strategy. That's why a novice, or even an
intermediate, bettor stands little chance
against Ginger, the well-educated,
reward-trained bird that has earned a degree at
the Boger Chicken University in Springdale,
Arkansas.
Against any greenhorn, Ginger wins virtually
every game because novice players
characteristically make random moves and place a
mark in any empty square. This lurch and hope
system seldom wins.
Most Tic-Tac-Toe players are intermediate,
reactive players, who typically try to block
their opponent's three-in-a-row, or take any
three-in-a-row opportunity they can, assuming
that the House-Bird is falling asleep or going
blind. The player that goes first (always
Ginger) starts with an immediate 5:4 advantage
(nine spaces to fill, of which she gets 5 while
her casino-patron opponent gets only 4). Also, I
have had the opportunity to observe an
academy-trained chicken in action. By always
going first, the chicken made skilled starting
moves, always starting in the center or a
corner, following that choice with four
unbeatable blocking moves. The best her opponent
can produce is a tie, which will only get you
one thing against fouls with a college
education; a fat big goose egg.
Dear Mark,
I ordered (Blankity Blank's) gambling system in
November. I thought you could print it right off
the web site or download it once you pay your
fee. There was also a CD that was going to be
e-mailed. It is now almost Christmas and I have
received nothing and was never able to print
anything like it said. I have e-mailed and
e-mailed and no response. My question is; what
can I do? I am not going to let him get my money
with no product, even if his system sucks, I
still want it in my possession. Justin V.
Please understand, Justin, that though I
wholeheartedly despise and condemn conman-fraud,
I cannot use this column to clobber those
possibly committing it, nor on a weekly basis
expose suspected internet scoundrels who flog
imaginary get-rich casino schemes to a gullible
public and stroll away with the money they
haven't earned. I have made it quite clear in
past columns that I am no fan of sure-shot
systems for beating such games of luck. I have
also recommended that readers hold on tight to
their hard-earned money, as there is no system
for slots, or any other casino offering for that
matter, that can beat a game based on pure
chance. Thanks, though, for bringing this con to
other readers' attention. And best of luck in
any efforts you may make through official
channels to collar the miscreant and relieve him
of your cash.
Gambling quote of the week: "I've noticed that a
good poker player generally is a success in
whatever business or profession he's in, or
could be if he put his mind to it. Why? Because
he understands people, and that's the foundation
for success in this world." Maverick's Guide to
Poker
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