tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post117417763785382082..comments2024-03-27T19:58:17.387-05:00Comments on Computational Complexity: A Computer Scientist in JeopardyLance Fortnowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752030912874378610noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1174462738362053952007-03-21T03:38:00.000-05:002007-03-21T03:38:00.000-05:00Building on anon 5's post, the players would proba...Building on anon 5's post, the players would probably want to follow a strategy somewhat like this during the game (to maximize the third place player's money going into final jeopardy): the first and second place players pause long enough for the third place player to answer if he can, then first place player pauses for second place player to answer, then first place player answers. But what if the first place player thinks he will not be able to correctly answer any questions in the other categories and will end up in third going into final jeopardy? Then he shouldn't pause and should answer the current question first. But players don't know the other players' assessments of their future performance ... and what about daily doubles? How should they play?? Maybe there is some interesting game theory here ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1174331274511235462007-03-19T15:07:00.000-05:002007-03-19T15:07:00.000-05:00The advantage to winning over tying is this: when ...The advantage to winning over tying is this: when your opponents each have one game of experience rather than zero games of experience (because you would play two fresh contestants if you won outright), they will perform better on the signaling button.<BR/><BR/>Any buzzing advantage you had over them will be smaller the second time you all play, more likely leading to your defeat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1174315741076171482007-03-19T10:49:00.000-05:002007-03-19T10:49:00.000-05:00It's more an issue of simple game theory.Is this t...<I>It's more an issue of simple game theory.</I><BR/><BR/>Is this true? As you point out, there is no particular advantage to the outcome of a tie game. Each person knows this. Since a tie results in each of them keeping their money and coming back another day (for as long as they like), there is a strong motive for collusion. <BR/><BR/>Each contestant could agree to the following strategy. Let the person who has the least amount of money bet zero. Then the other two bet an amount equal to the difference of their amount and the 3rd place player. Then these two will intentionally get the question wrong resulting in a guaranteed tie.<BR/><BR/>You've just ensured (as long as no one ends up with 0 or negative money at the end of the game) that all three of you will be able to win an unbounded amount of money.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1174258793812301472007-03-18T18:59:00.000-05:002007-03-18T18:59:00.000-05:00There might be an even bigger advantage. If the o...There might be an even bigger advantage. If the opponents of Scott Weiss learn something, they might copy his strategy. Then, Scott has better chances of going yet another time to Jeopardy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1174187811916807282007-03-17T23:16:00.000-05:002007-03-17T23:16:00.000-05:00I'm more interested to know where the 1 in 25 mill...I'm more interested to know where the 1 in 25 million claim came from!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1174187631490294642007-03-17T23:13:00.000-05:002007-03-17T23:13:00.000-05:00Scott is a member of the first class of graduating...Scott is a member of the first class of graduating undergrad computer science majors at Carnegie Mellon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1174182807285077612007-03-17T21:53:00.000-05:002007-03-17T21:53:00.000-05:00Maybe there's even an advantage to tieing? That wa...Maybe there's even an advantage to tieing? That way you know that your opponents in the next game will be people you've already shown yourself able to beat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com