Have you ever played a game with your significant other and found that your play styles were completely opposite? One of you is a planner, meticulously thinking through every move, while the other is a fly-by-the-seat-of-the-pants type, embracing chaos and unpredictability. I had this realization recently while playing a few rounds of the chess-like board game Santorini against my husband. I felt like he was a chess grandmaster – already three moves ahead, while I was playing tic-tac-toe still wondering where to put my first X. But my chaotic approach helped me win about half of the time. So, is it better to have a solid strategy in place, or should we embrace the chaos and let life take us where it may? How can we apply different styles of game theory in order to live more fulfilling and successful lives?
Chaos: The “Play it by Ear” Approach
Chaos is often associated with disorder, confusion, and unpredictability. In the context of games, a chaotic approach involves making decisions on the fly, without much forethought or planning. This can be both exciting and frustrating, as it can lead to unexpected victories and crushing defeats.
Hi, it’s me, the chaotic player.
After we finished setting all the pieces up, we started the exciting turn-based building placement game of Santorini, and I found myself making moves seemingly at random, without any clear plan in mind. I just saw a move that would block my husband and took it, forgetting to remember the point of the game is to win by getting your worker to the top of a tower.
After the first few rounds of defeat, I was able to focus myself on winning. By not being tied down to a specific plan, I was able to adapt to changing circumstances on the board. More willing to take risks and try unconventional strategies, which sometimes paid off in unexpected ways. My chaotic approach allowed me to be spontaneous and creative, which made the game more dynamic and exciting. Crazy unexpected moves had my hubby questioning his plans and I took advantage of his confusion – victory!
Strategy: The “Plan Ahead” Approach
Strategy, on the other hand, is all about planning and preparation. In a game, a strategic approach involves analyzing the board, assessing your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, and formulating a plan of attack. This can be a slow and methodical process, but it can also lead to more consistent results.
Meet my partner, Marc. The master strategist.
He spent a lot of time examining the board, thinking through his moves, trying to anticipate the events of future turns. I could tell he was confident that his strategy would lead to victory as he smugly moved his pieces around the board.
Bully for him, but he began to see the limitations of his approach. By being so focused on the plan, he was less adaptable to the ever-changing board and fell into a predictable pattern. Reluctant to deviate from his big-brain plan, even when it became clear that it wasn’t working. His frustration at the chaotic moves I was making made it harder for him to stick to his plan as he found his workers blocked from towers or trapped.
Finding Balance: When to Embrace Chaos and When to Employ Strategy
While chaos and strategy may seem like opposing forces, they can actually complement each other quite well. Especially in the world of board games, different game theories and strategies are key. In life, this might mean being willing to embrace spontaneity and adaptability, while still having a clear set of goals and a basic plan for achieving them.
The trick is to recognize when each approach is most appropriate. Marc and I played 7 rounds of Santorini where I won 3 games and he was the victor of 4. We had to do a tie-breaker because, even though I was flying by the seat of my pants and Marc was creating detailed blueprints, both of our gameplay styles were successful. When we played a four-player game with another couple where Marc and I were a team, we were unbeatable!
Applying Game Theory to Life: Finding the Right Balance
So how can we apply game theory to our lives? One approach is to recognize our natural tendencies towards chaos or strategy, and to consciously work towards finding a balance between the two. If you’re naturally a chaotic person, you may need to work on developing more strategic thinking skills. If you’re naturally a strategic person, you may need to work on being more adaptable and spontaneous.
Playing a game with loved ones is a great way to learn more about your style and how you handle stress with pretty low stakes. You can also try online personality quizzes, like this one at Calmmoment.
Ultimately, the key is to be flexible and adaptable, and to recognize that sometimes, the best approach is a combination of both chaos and strategy. By finding the right balance between the two, we can live more fulfilling and successful lives, both in games and in life.
Reflections: #winning with Game Theory
In conclusion, having a fun game night with Marc taught me a valuable lesson about the balance between chaos and strategy in life. While both approaches have their benefits and drawbacks, the key is to find the right balance between the two.
By being adaptable and flexible, and by recognizing the specific situations in which each approach is most appropriate, we can live more fulfilling and successful lives. Whether we’re playing a game or navigating the challenges of everyday life, the lessons of chaos and strategy can help us achieve our goals and find happiness and fulfillment along the way.
Want to play Santorini and find out which type of gamer you are? Learn more about the game here!
Wanna learn more about game theory? Check this article out.