I have been experimenting with a new game based on a game theory game called “The Pirate Game“. My version is the same but with a few modifications to make it fairer for all participants.

Aim of the game

Become the richest pirate

Game play

Round 1

Let’s say there are 5 pirates playing (it does work with other numbers but 5 is good). Decide who the captain is. The person to the right of the captain is the second in command, the next is third in command, and next fourth in command, and the person on the left of the captain is the skivvy.

The captain has been on a successful marauding mission and has gained 100 gold coins. He splits this loot between the 4 crew members and himself. He can decide to do this in any way he wants – he can keep it all, or give it all away. He gives this number of coins to each player and then the players decide whether or not to approve this proposal. If a majority of players approve the proposal then the gold is split according to this plan. If the majority do not approve the plan then the captain is flung overboard into the sea and the second in command becomes captain. In the case of a tie the captain has the casting vote.

The gold is returned to the second in command and he becomes the new captain. The same process now happens for the second in command. , and the third in command etc. until the loot has been divided among the pirates.

This is the first round.

Round 2

Now the pirates go on another mission and gain another 100 gold coins. This time the player who began round 1 as second in command becomes the captain and the previous captain becomes the skivvy. The round continues as round 1 above.

The game then continues for N rounds, where N is the number of players.

The winner is the player with the most coins at the end of the game.

Variations

The main factor that influences how the game is played is whether the distribution of coins is publicly known by all, or only known by the captain and the pirate to whom he is distributing coins. I think the game is more interesting and fun when the distribution is secret otherwise people start doing lots of maths!

Strategy

I’ve not yet worked out the best strategy for winning this game. I am convinced that the game theory strategy does not work for real humans. To win you need to be good at forming relationships and getting people to like you!