Schnapsen Log Archives

Columns for January, 2016

Homework on Expected Values

Martin Tompa
January 26, 2016

I am once again teaching a course on Probability and Statistics, using Schnapsen as a running example of applications of Probability. It’s been fun teaching Schnapsen to a large group of students who had never encountered it before.

In the course, we are just up to the topic of expected value now, so it seems appropriate to give them a homework exercise that involves expected game points. Today’s column is that homework exercise. This means that I won’t be posting my analysis until about ten days from now, when the homework will be due. A similar homework exercise appeared as a column last October.

You have just started a new game against the Maestro. On the very first deal, you reach the following interesting position…

Read the full column — Homework on Expected Values

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, 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.