AlissaÕs Tips on the Game of Sticks

I played a lot of different games and thought up stratigies on the game of stix, as an assignment. Here are the tips on the game:
  1. Game 1: Don't leave opponent with single row.
  2. Game 2: With two rows don't leave single stick in one.
  3. Game 3: With only two rows, equalize the number in each and win.
  4. Game 4: When beginning never eliminate whole row.
  5. Game 5: a- If two rows are equal eliminate third. b- If there are three rows, don't equalize.
  6. Game 6: If the other rows are unequal, don't eliminate the third row and keep the rows unequal.
  7. Game 7: With three rows, never bring one row down to one unless you will get a winning combination. The winning combinations are: 1-1-1, 1-2-3, 1-4-5, 1-5-6, or 2-4-6.
  8. Game 8: Don't eliminate a row if the other two are equal.
  9. Game 9: The person who starts will win if both players are playing by these rules. if not, the person who follows the rules wins.
  10. Game 10: If you go first and take one stick from any row and follow the rules you will win.
  11. Game 11:If you follow these rules you will win!

    If you convert the number in each row to binary and then "add" them you can figure out if it is a winning combonation. If there are an even number of "switches" that are on in each column then it is a winning combonation, for instance:

    If I had 111 I convert that to binary 011 11 010 1 001

    There are an even amount of "ons" in each column so this is a winning combonation.