Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
A while back we taught you a game called "Nim" that was simultaneously totally fair, and completely unbeatable (check out episode 8 "Nim", if you missed it). As promised, we're back with an advanced version of the game that's even simpler for the sucker to play, seems more fair, but just as unbeatable.
THE RULES: Set up three piles of marker, with starting numbers of 3, 5, and 7. Players can take as many markers as they want from any one pile per turn. Whoever takes the last marker loses.
THE WORK: There are five "pole positions" that you can achieve, right off the bat. Once you've hit these pole positions, you simply cannot lose:
(Don't worry about the order of the piles, only the values)
WINNING CONFIGS:
123
246
111
145
....or two even piles.
If you go first, take only one marker. After their first turn, you'll be able to hit one of the winning configurations.
Remember that once you hit a winning config, you'll always be able to continue hitting them. The only time you should go off plan is if you're in striking distance of winning. Watch the episode for more details.
A while back we taught you a game called "Nim" that was simultaneously totally fair, and completely unbeatable (check out episode 8 "Nim", if you missed it). As promised, we're back with an advanced version of the game that's even simpler for the sucker to play, seems more fair, but just as unbeatable.
THE RULES: Set up three piles of marker, with starting numbers of 3, 5, and 7. Players can take as many markers as they want from any one pile per turn. Whoever takes the last marker loses.
THE WORK: There are five "pole positions" that you can achieve, right off the bat. Once you've hit these pole positions, you simply cannot lose:
(Don't worry about the order of the piles, only the values)
WINNING CONFIGS:
123
246
111
145
....or two even piles.
If you go first, take only one marker. After their first turn, you'll be able to hit one of the winning configurations.
Remember that once you hit a winning config, you'll always be able to continue hitting them. The only time you should go off plan is if you're in striking distance of winning. Watch the episode for more details.
