4 replies to this topic

[truepurple]

I think I understand the first game, but the second two I don't.

 

Ch19 p9 https://vatoto.com/reader#c5a0a45e6f63902f_9

So is this kind of like group rock paper scissors?  So you yell  a number and people put their thumbs out at the same time? If the thumbs and numbers don't match, nothing happens and next persons turn?  If they do match, only the person who yelled the number can pull out a hand?

 

ch19 p12 https://vatoto.com/reader#c5a0a45e6f63902f_12

This one I really don't get. How do you win? Just be the last person who doesn't lose? In that case, just don't yell anything and you can't lose and then the game wouldn't happen thus that can't be it.

 

[lostguru]

First Game:

1. All players gather in a ring and put both their fists out.
2. One person starts by saying a phrase (which varies depending on what part of the country you come from, basically the phrase itself doesn't matter, it's just to signify you're about to say the number) followed by a number.
3. The moment that person says his/her number, everyone in the group independently has the option of doing nothing, raising their left thumb, raising their right thumb, or raising both their thumbs. This is done in an instant; in other words, some random number of thumbs will collectively be raised at the same time the person says his/her number.
4. Afterwards, the number of thumbs sticking up is counted. If the count doesn't match the number said, nothing happens and no fists are removed from the ring. If the count does match the number said, those fists that have their thumbs sticking up are removed from the ring. It doesn't matter whose fist it is.
5. The remaining fists go for another round and another person does the phrase & number call. This repeats.

The goal of the game is to get both your fists out of the ring. The strategy is such that you want to try and predict what number the person will say, as well as how many thumbs will be raised by the others still in the ring, so that you can try and match those numbers by raising at least one of your thumbs so you can pull a fist out. If you successfully do so you "survive" the round.

 

Yes, you're technically at a tactical disadvantage when you decide to not raise any thumbs, since if the thumb count is correct you won't be able to take any of your own fists out of the ring, but that's only if the count matches up. Leaving one or both of your thumbs down can mess with the thumb count as well if the person calling assumes everyone will put their thumb up. If you get into a situation with all the remaining players only have fist in the game though, you're technically at a stalemate, since the best strategy at that point is to always raise your thumb no matter the call.

 

Once you get down to two players left, you can consider them the "losers" of the match and start over. You can end up with one "loser" though if everyone except one person guesses the number right.

 

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Second Game:

 

This is just a variation of some other group counting games, it's not a strictly "Japanese" game per se.

• The goal is to say a number that collectively counts your group from 1 to the number of participants in the game minus one (e.g. seven participants, count from 1 to 6).
• You cannot say the same number as another participant(s) at the same time. If you do, the round ends and you and everyone else who said that number at the same time "lose" that round.
• You also lose if you say the wrong number in the order (aka. if you can't count and say a different number or something else entirely).
• If you end up as the last person remaining who didn't say a number, then you're also the "loser" of that round. (although at that point, if you get down to two people remaining the game just becomes a contest of speed and best strategy generally means both players will lose if they're paying attention)

In order words, in order to "survive" the round, you want to try and say a number as soon as possible without saying it at the same time as another player in the group. If you do so, you're considered a winner and can just spectate the rest of the round. In the 4-koma, the comedy is that everyone wants Komi to lose so that they can see her make a kissy-face, so they become so focused on winning that they all just shout "1" (in addition to one guy screwing up) at the same time and instantly lose.

[truepurple]

TY for that insight into how these games work.

 

Second game, I take it it happens fairly often that everyone loses a match?

[Philippe Carpentier]

For the first game, if the number is correct, only the person which said the number remove one of his hand from the game.
If it was anybody who upped their thumb, the only play would be to always raise both or your thumb : either someone guess the correct number and you don't lose, either nobody guess it and nobody win.

For the second game, the rules are correct, and @truepurple : Often people wait for different numbers depending of their tendencies. Most people fear to say the same number than someone else. So some rush to say the firsts number because they know that everybody else are too afraid to say them (and before the others even think about it). Some wait for the last number because it's easier to chain after someone when there is fewer participants, some don't want to rush nor be pressured by the last numbers so they target mid numbers... Overall it's rather rare when everyone lose the match.

[truepurple]

Does the person who says the number, raise thumbs? I figure not, but I wanted to be sure.

Edited by truepurple, 03 December 2017 - 01:05 AM.