Psellos
Life So Short, the Craft So Long to Learn

The Schnapsen Log

October 23, 2012

On the Brink of Success

Martin Tompa

Your match against the champion Katharina continues. You have done very well tonight, but Katharina seems unflappable. In the very next deal she eyes you coolly, waiting for your move.

Unseen cards:
T
AQ
♣ TQ
A

Your cards:
K
TK
♣ K
T

Trump: ♣J
Stock: 1 face-down card
Game points: Katharina 3, You 4
Trick points: Katharina 5, You 53
On lead: You

You are shocked by the incredible trick point lead you have built up in this deal. You’d better come up with a plan that doesn’t throw it all away. 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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September
Sidestep a Few Landmines, Sep 2
June
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A New Scheme for Remembering Cards, Mar 23
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As Luck Would Have It, Sep 9

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