The strategic prize game Le Her

Abstract

AbstractLe Her is a strategic two-person prize game the classic version of which uses a deck of cards. Despite its simple rules, the analysis of the game is surprisingly complex. I describe a modern variant of Le Her that is amenable to elementary analysis, yet retains and highlights all central aspects of the classical game. This elementary analysis combines naturally central concepts of calculus (partial derivatives, multidimensional optimization, double integrals, fixed and saddle points) with major probabilistic concepts (random variable, event, independence) and basic notions in decision theory (Nash equilibrium). Due to its stimulating context as a strategic prize game Le Her offers an attractive illustration and an appealing application of learning goals and curricular contents which are otherwise often perceived as remote and abstract.