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With most information hidden, the game Stratego had stumped AI until now

288 points · 149 comments · PaulHoule

  1. SwellJoe · · focus · HN ↗
    I loved Stratego so much as a kid. But, I eventually couldn't find anyone to play with me because I crushed everyone, including my dad who was much better than me at chess. But, I never would have thought it'd be a game that models would have a hard time with. It feels relatively simple. And, inexplicably, I never even thought that there might be serious players...I've kept the board game, one of the very few things I have from young childhood, but it's been twenty years since I played. I guess it's time to find an online Stratego. Surely someone in the whole world can beat me.

    Too bad I never played against an AI before they cracked it.

    1. cainxinth · · focus · HN ↗
      I also enjoyed it. We even used to play live Stratego at camp with index cards in our socks with our ranks.

      What was the secret of your success?

      1. SwellJoe · · focus · HN ↗
        I don't actually know. I had a few strong setups that I rotated through, but even after I started explaining my strategy after every game, and even giving hints during the game, my best childhood friend would still lose so much it wasn't fun for either of us so we stopped playing. He's smart, and was fine at most games, but no match in Stratego. I guess I'm just good enough at the various aspects of the game, memory, bluffing, planning, that it added up to being a pretty strong player even without much in the way of study or practice. I'm sure I'd crumble against an actual serious player, and would have back then, too, it was just that I wasn't around anyone else who liked the game enough to become good at it.
      2. SamBam · · focus · HN ↗
        I'm curious. I could kind of see that being fun, but I could also see 1 person moving with 79 standing still, and two players who get to make all the decisions. Did you guys modify the rules?
        1. cainxinth · · focus · HN ↗
          Very little standing still. Everyone is running around. It's a bit like capture the flag, except when you tag someone you compare index cards to see who is higher rank.
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