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Puzzles/Two-player games/Picking game

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There is a heap of matches. 2 players take turns to pick 1 or 2 matches. The winner is the person who picks the last match.

  • Who wins for 5 matches (if no player misses a chance to win or draw)?
  • Is there a general strategy for any number of matches (to force a win or a tie for either side)?
  • What is the strategy if existing?


Solution