RE Grouping Games General Question

[ellenb]

Dear Powerscore,

I just had a general question in regards to grouping games. So, if we encounter conditional statements on a game we are most likely faced with a grouping game? Just wanted to make sure that I got it correct.

Regards,

Ellen

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Ellen,

Thanks for the question--it's a good one! It actually depends on several factors. Grouping games typically depend on rules that are conditional, but other games can and do use conditional rules. For example:

Linear games: "If L is 3rd, then Y must be 5th"

Sequencing games: "If C sings earlier than E, then W must sing earlier than Y"

So, the presence of conditional rules alone doesn't mean that you have a Grouping game. Instead, you have to look at other factors in the game, namely the nature of what you are being asked to do. For example, are you being asked to line up variables? then you have some type of Linear game. Or are you being asked to assemble a set of variables? That's going to be Grouping.

The more games you look at, the more you will begin to see that certain rules are more commonly associated with certain game types, but almost any type of rule can be used in any type of game.

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!

[ellenb]

Thanks Dave,

That is very helpful. I was just thinking of a way to distinguish them from linear games. So, in grouping they want us to put things into groups, and if one is in someone else will be out. I just want to make sure that if I see a grouping game, I do not confuse it with a linear game and viceversa. That is my main concern.


I know that there are some games that have elements of both. However, for the ones that are strictly grouping or linear I just want to make sure that I do not get confused and can distinguish them clearly. Especially because we have used blocks in class for grouping games instead of arrows (which made me think of linearity).

So, as a foll-up question I still wonder of the different ways to distinguish the linear vs. the grouping games? Do people start to distinguish between the two types the more they are exposed to them?

Regards,

Ellen

[Dave Killoran]

Thanks Dave,

That is very helpful. I was just thinking of a way to distinguish them from linear games. So, in grouping they want us to put things into groups, and if one is in someone else will be out. I just want to make sure that if I see a grouping game, I do not confuse it with a linear game and viceversa. That is my main concern.

Yes, but also in a Grouping game, they may want to divide a set number of people into different groups (and thus no one is truly "out," they are just in a different group). For example, 9 students placed into 3 separate classes of 3 students each.

I know that there are some games that have elements of both. However, for the ones that are strictly grouping or linear I just want to make sure that I do not get confused and can distinguish them clearly. Especially because we have used blocks in class for grouping games instead of arrows (which made me think of linearity).

The more games you see, the easier this distinction will become. Linearity is often very prominent in a game, and that element often will jump right out at you. With blocks, you'll see that they occur in Grouping games when there is a vertical element --because they are more powerfully visually. After a bit, this use will become second-nature for you

So, as a foll-up question I still wonder of the different ways to distinguish the linear vs. the grouping games? Do people start to distinguish between the two types the more they are exposed to them?

You bet, in a few short weeks, you'll automatically recognize the difference without even thinking about it. Right now you are just absorbing the ideas, and they are a bit foreign, so you are having to think through each step (think of the first time you drove a car, how uncomfortable it was. Now compare that today--you probably jump in and drive without even thinking twice!).

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!