Takeaway

How it works

Takeaway is a 2-player game. Here's how to play:

  • You start with a pile of 10 chips.
  • Players take turns taking chips from the pile.
  • On each turn, a player can take either 1 chip or 2 chips from the pile.
  • The player who removes the last chip (so there are no chips left) wins.

Could you beat an expert at this game? Would you want to go 1st or 2nd? What if you started with a different number of chips?

In this activity, students work together to figure out how to beat a facilitator who is an expert at the game. First, they try to beat the facilitator starting with 10 chips. If they figure out how to do that, then they try to figure out how to beat the facilitator with any number of chips if they get to decide whether they go 1st or 2nd.

Data Recording handout

Why we like this activity

  • It’s fun! Students enjoy playing the game and figuring out how to beat an expert.
  • It helps to develop algorithmic and game-theoretic reasoning.

  • It requires students to engage in mathematical habits of mind:

    • Using logic and finding and using strategies to beat an expert.
    • Looking for patterns and making and testing predictions when trying to figure out when it's better to go 1st and when it's better to go 2nd.
  • It has a low floor and a high ceiling: Students can start playing the game by trial and error, but figuring out how to beat an expert is more challenging!
 
 

This activity was developed in collaboration with the Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival.