Psellos
Life So Short, the Craft So Long to Learn

The Schnapsen Log

August 17, 2012

Tempo

Martin Tompa

You are back at the Café Abeles, at your favorite table, playing cards with your buddy Peter. Outside it’s steaming hot and humid, but in here the ceiling fans and heavy stone walls keep things nice and cool. Cool enough that you’re enjoying your hot coffee while you play.

It’s been a close game so far and you’re in the endgame of a close deal where no one declared a marriage and the stock has just been exhausted.

Peter: (29 points)
A
AKJ
♣ Q

You: (38 points)
J
Q
♣ AKJ

Trump:
Stock: Exhausted
Game points: Peter 3, You 3
On lead: You

You can see Peter’s remaining cards in your mind’s eye; you notice that they mirror your own cards, so are easy to remember. With only 5 cards remaining in each hand, how difficult can it possibly be to come up with a good plan? When you think you have one, you are welcome to read my analysis.

© 2012 Martin Tompa. All rights reserved.


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About the Author

Martin Tompa

Martin Tompa (tompa@psellos.com)

I am a Professor of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington, where I teach discrete mathematics, probability and statistics, design and analysis of algorithms, and other related courses. I have always loved playing games. Games are great tools for learning to think logically and are a wonderful component of happy family or social life.

Read about Winning Schnapsen, the very first and definitive book on the winning strategy for this fascinating game.

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