Schnapsen Log Archives

Columns for April, 2017

Homework on Expected Values

Martin Tompa
April 26, 2017

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 very large group of students who had never encountered it before.

In the course, we have recently covered the topic of expected value, 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 twelve days from now, when the homework will be due. A similar homework exercise appeared as a column last year.

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.