The Game of Poison
Materials:
Small objects, 13 per pair of students
Play:
Poison is a game for 2 people. For a first game, use 13 objects.
Players take turns removing one object or 2 objects. Play until all
objects have been taken. The LAST object to be removed is
considered to be the poison. Whoever gets stuck taking it loses.
Suggestions:
Give these directions. “You need to play five games with each
member of your group, discuss what you noticed about the game.
Your group task is to try and find a winning strategy for avoiding the
poison. Write down statements that describe your thinking. If your
group thinks you have a winning strategy, raise your hands so you
can try to poison me.”
Tips:
The game of poison has a winning strategy. This means the game
will never end in a draw, as in tic-tac-toe. Someone will always win,
and figuring out how to play requires logical thinking.