Hi there,

For a research project, I am attempting to make a computer opponent for No-Thanks. This opponent should play in a way that closely mimics the way people play the game.
In order to do so I need to collect information on how gamers play No-Thanks. For this, I would like to ask you to answer some questions for me.

There are quite a few questions. You do not have to anwser all off them if you can't. Even answering a few/most of them will greatly help me. Answering more questions does mean more data for me, so I do encourage you to answer all questions.

Thank you,
Wolter

-----------------------------
The questions:

In your opinion, does it matter how many players are in a game? (I.e. do you use a different strategy for different numbers of players?

Yes, best nr is 4 in my opinion.

In what way does your strategy differ for different numbers of players?

Because the control you have over choices differs I sometimes find it easier to go another round.

If you play differently depending on the amount of players, please take 4 players as the number to base your answers on to the questions below.


Card preference.
What card(s) do you try to pick in the beginning? I.e. do you try to get a low card (10’s), a middle card (20’s) or a high card (30’s) to start with?

A fairly high card with as many coins as possible.

Why do you try to start with this card(s)?
Other high cards are often not interesting for other players, so they cna collect coins as well.

How greedy do you tend to play? I.e. how often and how long do you let a card that would produce a sequence with cards you already have “ride” to get more chips on them from other players? What is your criterion for when to do so?
I'm quite anxious: I'm affraid someone else will take 'my' card. Not really a criterion, more of a gut feeling.

Do you (often) gamble on getting a sequence (e.g., taking the 23 when you have the 25)? What does your choice to do so depend on?

Nope.

Do you block other players? I.e. do you take a card that is beneficial to another player? And if you do, what is your criterion for when to do so?

I did at the beginning. Not any more.

Are there other factors that play a role in deciding to take a card or pass on it. that you haven’t mentioned yet?

Next are a couple of questions about the chips.
How do you judge the number of chips currently on the card in the middle? (Pick one answer)

b.Just an estimate (few, many)
c.Approximation (i.e. It has been round the table 3 times so there should be about 10-12 ships on there)


How precisely do you keep track of the chips other players have? (Pick one answer)
a.Not at all

Sometimes you can see someone get nervous, that gives away they don't have that many chips left.

Do you play differently when you are low on chips? If you do, please describe shortly how it is different

I try to get a card with chips.

All other things being equal, how many chips have to be on a card with a certain value before you take it? With this value being:
5: 2,3
10: 4,5
15: 5,6
20: 6,7
25: 7,8
30: 10,11

Some general questions
How do you decide, after another player has taken the card, whether your earlier decision to pass on it was good or bad?
I don't get the question?

Does the strategy you use depend on the strategy of other players? I.e. do you play differently when your opponent(s) play risky compared to when they play conservative? (Being conservative is taking few cards and being risky is taking a lot of cards and hoping for a long sequence)

Yes, depends on how they play. If they get a lot of cards really early I'll probably sooner take a card.

What, do you think, would be the biggest difference between a human player and a computer that “can play” the game?
There's much going on that a computer couldn't do: the nerves when you're down to your last chips, sorting your cards in a way that other people have a harder time to check whether you have a straight etc.

Are there any other things related to strategies in the game you want to mention?

How much experience do you have with the game?
How Often do you play the game?

b. Few times a year


How would you categorize your level of experience?

c. Novice

Hi there,

For a research project, I am attempting to make a computer opponent for No-Thanks. This opponent should play in a way that closely mimics the way people play the game.
In order to do so I need to collect information on how gamers play No-Thanks. For this, I would like to ask you to answer some questions for me.

Good luck! I'm a bit in awe of people who make AIs for games.

There are quite a few questions. You do not have to anwser all off them if you can't. Even answering a few/most of them will greatly help me. Answering more questions does mean more data for me, so I do encourage you to answer all questions.

Thank you,
Wolter

-----------------------------
The questions:

In your opinion, does it matter how many players are in a game? (I.e. do you use a different strategy for different numbers of players?

To some degree, yes. With fewer players, I accept that I'm going to take some cards, and I'm more likely to block an opponent's straight. In a larger field, I'm more likely to let someone else "take one for the team."

In what way does your strategy differ for different numbers of players?

With fewer players, I accept that I'm going to take some cards I don't want, and I'm more likely to block an opponent's straight. In a larger field, I'm more likely to let someone "take one for the team."

If you play differently depending on the amount of players, please take 4 players as the number to base your answers on to the questions below.


Card preference.
What card(s) do you try to pick in the beginning? I.e. do you try to get a low card (10’s), a middle card (20’s) or a high card (30’s) to start with?

I prefer to take a low card, if possible.

Why do you try to start with this card(s)?

I don't have a very sophisticated strategy, I just want fewer points.

How greedy do you tend to play? I.e. how often and how long do you let a card that would produce a sequence with cards you already have “ride” to get more chips on them from other players? What is your criterion for when to do so?

To make a sequence, I'm not too greedy. If it connects with two of my cards, I'll take it first time. If it connects with one, I might let it go around once, maybe twice if it's high enough.

Do you (often) gamble on getting a sequence (e.g., taking the 23 when you have the 25)? What does your choice to do so depend on?

Almost never, unless I'm very low on chips or it's a low card (or has a lot of chips on it.)

Do you block other players? I.e. do you take a card that is beneficial to another player? And if you do, what is your criterion for when to do so?

That depends on a combination of things -- size of the card, number of chips, my current points compared to everyone else's.

Are there other factors that play a role in deciding to take a card or pass on it. that you haven’t mentioned yet?

There's not much left!

Next are a couple of questions about the chips.
How do you judge the number of chips currently on the card in the middle? (Pick one answer)

c.Approximation (i.e. It has been round the table 3 times so there should be about 10-12 ships on there)

How precisely do you keep track of the chips other players have? (Pick one answer)

Not at all, really.

Do you play differently when you are low on chips? If you do, please describe shortly how it is different

Sure. I'm less particular about what I take, especially if it has chips on it.

All other things being equal, how many chips have to be on a card with a certain value before you take it? With this value being:
5: 0
10: 2 or 3
15: 4
20: 7
25: 9
30: 15

Some general questions
How do you decide, after another player has taken the card, whether your earlier decision to pass on it was good or bad?

If it improves their score more than it would have hurt mine. But what's done is done; I don't bother second guessing myself.

Does the strategy you use depend on the strategy of other players? I.e. do you play differently when your opponent(s) play risky compared to when they play conservative? (Being conservative is taking few cards and being risky is taking a lot of cards and hoping for a long sequence)

If somebody wants to gamble, I'll happily let them -- and then look to block a long sequence. If they're conservative, I might let a card I want (but don't desperately need) go around the table another time or two.

What, do you think, would be the biggest difference between a human player and a computer that “can play” the game?

Computers can study playing behavior, but they can't read faces, nor do they know the personalities of the other players. Also, many AIs become predictable, to the point that you can anticipate exactly which cards they'll pick up and when, and base your strategy accordingly.

Are there any other things related to strategies in the game you want to mention?

How much experience do you have with the game?
How Often do you play the game?

b. Few times a year

How would you categorize your level of experience?

b. Intermediate