At first blush, I don't like the idea.
It DOES seem like it may lead to an (arguably) desireable result through
most of the game, BUT I think it then breaks down in the end game. In many
game recently (including those on Super Duper Games), I start a turn with
one or two stones and just a small set of possible secret rules, given the
expected level of the game. Then I need one last stone to really tie up a
win. With the "safe" mondo rule in play, I mondo and then start my guess
barrage.
With the "risky" mondo rule, on the other hand, what are my options? I
could...
A) master, in which case I have less of a chance to win.
B) mondo and take my guess, in which case I have (for the sake of
discussion) a 50% chance of going down in flames.
C) mondo but abstain, which is merely an attempt to entice my opponents into
betting an losing it all their current stones.
I could just start my guess barrage with the X-1 stones I have. Then not
only do I have less of a chance of getting the rule on that turn, but I also
have to reveal my line of reasoning, thus making more likely that one of my
opponents will sudenly get it. That's dissatisfying.
Sure, I could just wait until next turn and build another koan that I hope
will narrow down the possibilities more. But, if I interpret other messages
in this thread correctly, speeding up the game is one of the motivations
behind the introduction othe risky mondo. Giving me a reason to wait one
more round of student turns means the game is acutally prolonged.
DISCLAIMER: This is all how it seems to me now, without having tried it. It
may just be that the new rule leads to other changes that counterbalance
what I currently see as disadvantages. I'll try it when I get a chance.
Ryan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kory Heath" <kory@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <icehouse@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:58 AM
Subject: [Icehouse] A Zendo variant
For any Zendo fans out there interested in trying an experiment, I've been
thinking about a "risky" variant of the Mondo rule in Zendo. Here's the
idea:
When someone calls Mondo, you may answer with a black or white stone, or
secretly abstain by putting neither stone in your fist. When you abstain,
you get nothing either way. If you answer correctly, you get one guessing
stone. If you answer incorrectly, you lose all your guessing stones.
I haven't had a chance to try this yet. If anyone else feels like giving
it a whirl, please post back to the list and tell us how it went!
-- Kory
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