Author |
Topic: Musings on the psychology of Arimaa (Read 1150 times) |
|
qswanger
Forum Guru
Gender: 
Posts: 89
|
 |
Musings on the psychology of Arimaa
« on: Sep 30th, 2010, 8:36am » |
 Quote  Modify
|
I wonder if anyone else is "guilty" of this:
Does the ordering of steps in a move of Arimaa make a difference in the outcome of a game. I'm not talking from an absolute truth standpoint obviously, but rather if the step order has some sort of discernible psychological effect on my opponent. Of course this is assuming that step ordering is indeed independent with no requirements for unfreezing, etc. I have found myself a few times during my games *intentionally* ordering first in my move the steps that I wish for my opponent to either ignore or miss the importance of and then using the later steps almost as a distraction since it will be the last movement on the board my opponent sees. I've suspected that I've gotten away with a few things by doing this. I'm pretty sure that this is not unethical, I'm just curious if anyone else has noticed this phenomenon and agrees to it's psychological utility. Thanks.
|
|
 IP Logged |
|
|
|
clojure
Forum Guru
Arimaa player #5004
Gender:
Posts: 207
|
|
Re: Musings on the psychology of Arimaa
« Reply #2 on: Sep 30th, 2010, 4:46pm » |
Quote Modify
|
I think move ordering has potential to hide a quiet, strategic move. Psychologically, first and last items in a list are emphasized, so it makes sense to have important moves in the middle. Especially if they look innocent, it could be that opponent doesn't pay much attention them.
Remember when it was discussed that when there is one surplus move available that is not needed locally? The strategic move could be useful to do in a middle step. The problem is that it will be even more highlighted, since the local move pattern is strongly cut-off into two parts. Having said that, maybe you could make the opponent take time to understand the lonely move, if you emphasize it even though it does not have any deep meaning 
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
clojure
Forum Guru
Arimaa player #5004
Gender:
Posts: 207
|
|
Re: Musings on the psychology of Arimaa
« Reply #3 on: Sep 30th, 2010, 4:51pm » |
Quote Modify
|
One thing that is not really about ordering but ineffectual moves: bots sometimes do two steps that moves the piece from A to B and back to A. This often takes attention away from the actual steps. I easily forget what bot's previous steps were.
|
| « Last Edit: Sep 30th, 2010, 4:52pm by clojure » |
IP Logged |
|
|
|
rbarreira
Forum Guru
Arimaa player #1621
Gender:
Posts: 605
|
|
Re: Musings on the psychology of Arimaa
« Reply #4 on: Sep 30th, 2010, 4:57pm » |
Quote Modify
|
I think the best approach might be to do your steps in a random order. That way the opponent won't be able to learn where you put your important steps.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
Fritzlein
Forum Guru
Arimaa player #706
Gender:
Posts: 5928
|
|
Re: Musings on the psychology of Arimaa
« Reply #5 on: Oct 6th, 2010, 7:33pm » |
Quote Modify
|
on Sep 30th, 2010, 4:57pm, rbarreira wrote:| I think the best approach might be to do your steps in a random order. That way the opponent won't be able to learn where you put your important steps. |
|
An easier way to remove information from your step order is to re-order steps left to right, front to back, after deciding on your move. I don't think there is much value in doing so, but at least your opponent will see that every move has the same "shape" and therefore not be able to deduce anything from your step order.
|
| « Last Edit: Oct 6th, 2010, 7:33pm by Fritzlein » |
IP Logged |
|
|
|
KingElephant
Forum Full Member
Arimaa player #
Gender:
Posts: 11
|
|
Re: Musings on the psychology of Arimaa
« Reply #6 on: Nov 20th, 2010, 6:50pm » |
Quote Modify
|
The moves are presented over the internet in the game room all of a sudden when the opponent clicks "send." This is much different from seeing your opponent's work. If one were to play in person, the situation would be quite different. Needless to say you would see all your opponent's hesitations. In fact, I find the sudden presentation of four steps quite intimidating. It makes it seem as though my opponent were forceful and confident.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
|
Home
Help
Search
Members
Login
Register
Reply
Notify of replies
Send Topic
Print