web01.fireside.fm Sun, 24 May 2026 22:17:47 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Odds and Evenings - Episodes Tagged with “Game Theory” https://www.oddsandevenings.com/tags/game%20theory Fri, 05 Jul 2019 09:00:00 +0100 Playing around with maths and puzzles was something that the two hosts spent their time at university doing together. Now in their late twenties with proper grown up jobs, Alaric and Alex carve out the occasional evening to sit back and smell the numbers. Not all of the mathematics is entry level, but they envisioned this podcast for those people whose science degrees may be long behind them, but who still get a kick out of recreational numbering. If this is your first time listening, episode 4 (http://www.oddsandevenings.com/4) is a good representation of the show as a whole and can be used as a jumping on point. All episodes can be played in browser here (http://www.oddsandevenings.com/episodes) or you can subscribe on all major podcast apps (http://www.oddsandevenings.com/subscribe). en-gb episodic A podcast about mathematics, puzzles, numbers and games Odds and Evenings Playing around with maths and puzzles was something that the two hosts spent their time at university doing together. Now in their late twenties with proper grown up jobs, Alaric and Alex carve out the occasional evening to sit back and smell the numbers. Not all of the mathematics is entry level, but they envisioned this podcast for those people whose science degrees may be long behind them, but who still get a kick out of recreational numbering. If this is your first time listening, episode 4 (http://www.oddsandevenings.com/4) is a good representation of the show as a whole and can be used as a jumping on point. All episodes can be played in browser here (http://www.oddsandevenings.com/episodes) or you can subscribe on all major podcast apps (http://www.oddsandevenings.com/subscribe). no Maths, Math, Mathematics, Podcast, Puzzles, Game Theory, Science, Physics, Numbers, Games Odds and Evenings oddsevenings@gmail.com Mini Episode: Bidding Game https://www.oddsandevenings.com/30a 3c59031d-fcea-441a-abcb-7c6250b2d62c Fri, 05 Jul 2019 09:00:00 +0100 Odds and Evenings bonus Odds and Evenings A Bonus Episode made for the Big Internet Math Off 12:12 no <p>Here's something a little different. Over at Aperiodical they are running the <a href="https://aperiodical.com/2019/06/announcing-the-big-internet-math-off-2019/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Big Internet Math Off 2019</a>, where 16 mathematicians present pitches to compete in a tournament. We were very pleased to be nominated to take part. For this round we thought we'd do what we do best, albeit in smaller, snack sized portion.</p> <p>We are up against Grant Sanderson of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYO_jab_esuFRV4b17AJtAw?&amp;ab_channel=3Blue1Brown" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">3Blue1Brown</a> which is a channel that we both love. You can find both of our pitches<a href="https://aperiodical.com/2019/07/the-big-internet-math-off-2019-group-1-grant-sanderson-vs-alaric-stephen/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"> here</a>, where if you like what you hear we would very much appreciate your support by voting for Alaric.</p> <p>Most importantly, <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SKMl1Fh6CtW2nFcSBPxSZuiuLLrMelWn" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">here is the file</a> that my student Ed Ceney created so you can try to come up with the best strategy yourself.</p> <p>The paper outlining the original experiment can be found <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2856963" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">here</a>.</p> <p>Normal episodes will resume shortly.</p> #bigmathoff, Maths, Game Theory, Probability, Aperiodical Here's something a little different. Over at Aperiodical they are running the Big Internet Math Off 2019, where 16 mathematicians present pitches to compete in a tournament. We were very pleased to be nominated to take part. For this round we thought we'd do what we do best, albeit in smaller, snack sized portion.

We are up against Grant Sanderson of 3Blue1Brown which is a channel that we both love. You can find both of our pitches here, where if you like what you hear we would very much appreciate your support by voting for Alaric.

Most importantly, here is the file that my student Ed Ceney created so you can try to come up with the best strategy yourself.

The paper outlining the original experiment can be found here.

Normal episodes will resume shortly.

]]> Here's something a little different. Over at Aperiodical they are running the Big Internet Math Off 2019, where 16 mathematicians present pitches to compete in a tournament. We were very pleased to be nominated to take part. For this round we thought we'd do what we do best, albeit in smaller, snack sized portion.

We are up against Grant Sanderson of 3Blue1Brown which is a channel that we both love. You can find both of our pitches here, where if you like what you hear we would very much appreciate your support by voting for Alaric.

Most importantly, here is the file that my student Ed Ceney created so you can try to come up with the best strategy yourself.

The paper outlining the original experiment can be found here.

Normal episodes will resume shortly.

]]> #26 - Geometry, Goblins and Getting to Pubs https://www.oddsandevenings.com/26 c8040226-13be-4169-80e7-84b442af20b5 Mon, 28 Jan 2019 00:15:00 +0000 Odds and Evenings full Odds and Evenings Topics Discussed: - Rational Geometry - Goblin Game - Car Pool Problem 1:12:21 no <p>The boys find themselves on the wrong side of the mathematical orthodoxy, rejecting the concepts of distance and angles, before immediately forgetting about that and using distances and angles to solve a problem.</p> <h3>Odds and Evenings</h3> <p>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/OddsAndEvenings" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://twitter.com/OddsAndEvenings</a><br> Website - <a href="http://www.oddsandevenings.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">http://www.oddsandevenings.com</a></p> <h3>Topics discussed</h3> <ul> <li>Rational Geometry</li> <li>Goblin Game</li> <li>Car Pool Problem</li> </ul> <h3>Show Notes</h3> <p><a href="https://youtu.be/dVk3CpjHR4Y?t=3m19s" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Introduction to Rational Geometry Overview by Norman Wildberger</a><br> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYWHfvij94U&amp;list=PL3C58498718451C47&amp;index=2&amp;ab_channel=njwildberger" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">The Video in his Lecture Sequence which covers some of the topics we discussed on our show</a><br> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rational_trigonometry#Laws_of_rational_trigonometry" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">The 5 Laws of Rational Geometry</a><br> <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=8902" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Goblin Game</a><br> <a href="https://www.mersenne.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">New Prime Discovered</a></p> <h3>Credits</h3> <p>Hosted By <br> Alaric - <a href="http://alaricstephen.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">http://alaricstephen.com</a><br> Alex - <a href="http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords</a></p> <p>Editing by Alex<br> Calls for radical overthrowing of the establishment by Alaric</p> <p>Theme music by David Russell - <a href="https://youtube.com/DavidRussell323" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://youtube.com/DavidRussell323</a> </p> Maths, Math, Mathematics, Geometry, History of Maths, Game Theory, Optimisation The boys find themselves on the wrong side of the mathematical orthodoxy, rejecting the concepts of distance and angles, before immediately forgetting about that and using distances and angles to solve a problem.

Odds and Evenings

Twitter - https://twitter.com/OddsAndEvenings
Website - http://www.oddsandevenings.com

Topics discussed

  • Rational Geometry
  • Goblin Game
  • Car Pool Problem

Show Notes

Introduction to Rational Geometry Overview by Norman Wildberger
The Video in his Lecture Sequence which covers some of the topics we discussed on our show
The 5 Laws of Rational Geometry
Goblin Game
New Prime Discovered

Credits

Hosted By
Alaric - http://alaricstephen.com
Alex - http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords

Editing by Alex
Calls for radical overthrowing of the establishment by Alaric

Theme music by David Russell - https://youtube.com/DavidRussell323

]]> The boys find themselves on the wrong side of the mathematical orthodoxy, rejecting the concepts of distance and angles, before immediately forgetting about that and using distances and angles to solve a problem.

Odds and Evenings

Twitter - https://twitter.com/OddsAndEvenings
Website - http://www.oddsandevenings.com

Topics discussed

  • Rational Geometry
  • Goblin Game
  • Car Pool Problem

Show Notes

Introduction to Rational Geometry Overview by Norman Wildberger
The Video in his Lecture Sequence which covers some of the topics we discussed on our show
The 5 Laws of Rational Geometry
Goblin Game
New Prime Discovered

Credits

Hosted By
Alaric - http://alaricstephen.com
Alex - http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords

Editing by Alex
Calls for radical overthrowing of the establishment by Alaric

Theme music by David Russell - https://youtube.com/DavidRussell323

]]> #25 - Codes, Coins and Criss-Crosses https://www.oddsandevenings.com/25 8b6232c4-3557-4ac4-b24d-e2bd13c29a3a Mon, 24 Dec 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Odds and Evenings full Odds and Evenings Topics Discussed: - Wythoff's Game - A Christmas Cipher - Zig Zag Lights 1:11:50 no <p>Here's a copy of the puzzle that Alaric wrote for the conference: <a href="https://uploads.fireside.fm/images/b/b3fcc274-493e-4d2e-87a4-3d1ae3127c05/t4Kb6p0j.png" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Chyptic Chossword</a></p> <p>The boys play games, join a secret circle and put up the Christmas lights :)</p> <h3>Odds and Evenings</h3> <p>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/OddsAndEvenings" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://twitter.com/OddsAndEvenings</a><br> Website - <a href="http://www.oddsandevenings.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">http://www.oddsandevenings.com</a></p> <h3>Topics discussed</h3> <ul> <li>Wythoff's Game</li> <li>A Christmas Cipher</li> <li>Zig Zag Lights</li> </ul> <h3>Show Notes</h3> <p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wythoff%27s_game" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Wythoff's Game on Wikipedia</a><br> <a href="http://math450games.blogspot.com/2017/02/wythoffs-queens-and-wythoffs-nim.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">A good blog article about Wythoff's Game and the Golden Ratio</a><br> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdA__2tKoIU" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Little Orphan Annie Scene</a><br> <a href="https://imgur.com/a/B9R79kn" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Little Orphan Annie image album</a></p> <h3>Credits</h3> <p>Hosted By <br> Alaric - <a href="http://alaricstephen.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">http://alaricstephen.com</a><br> Alex - <a href="http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords</a></p> <p>Editing by Alex<br> Invention of Christmas (the concept thereof) by Alaric</p> <p>Theme music by David Russell - <a href="https://youtube.com/DavidRussell323" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://youtube.com/DavidRussell323</a> </p> Maths, Math, Mathematics, Christmas, Game Theory, Ciphers, Codes, Cryptography Here's a copy of the puzzle that Alaric wrote for the conference: Chyptic Chossword

The boys play games, join a secret circle and put up the Christmas lights :)

Odds and Evenings

Twitter - https://twitter.com/OddsAndEvenings
Website - http://www.oddsandevenings.com

Topics discussed

  • Wythoff's Game
  • A Christmas Cipher
  • Zig Zag Lights

Show Notes

Wythoff's Game on Wikipedia
A good blog article about Wythoff's Game and the Golden Ratio
Little Orphan Annie Scene
Little Orphan Annie image album

Credits

Hosted By
Alaric - http://alaricstephen.com
Alex - http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords

Editing by Alex
Invention of Christmas (the concept thereof) by Alaric

Theme music by David Russell - https://youtube.com/DavidRussell323

]]> Here's a copy of the puzzle that Alaric wrote for the conference: Chyptic Chossword

The boys play games, join a secret circle and put up the Christmas lights :)

Odds and Evenings

Twitter - https://twitter.com/OddsAndEvenings
Website - http://www.oddsandevenings.com

Topics discussed

  • Wythoff's Game
  • A Christmas Cipher
  • Zig Zag Lights

Show Notes

Wythoff's Game on Wikipedia
A good blog article about Wythoff's Game and the Golden Ratio
Little Orphan Annie Scene
Little Orphan Annie image album

Credits

Hosted By
Alaric - http://alaricstephen.com
Alex - http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords

Editing by Alex
Invention of Christmas (the concept thereof) by Alaric

Theme music by David Russell - https://youtube.com/DavidRussell323

]]> #19 - Probability, Pubs and Power https://www.oddsandevenings.com/19 6d73b6df-4b2f-48f6-a6f7-27b425d797d3 Mon, 10 Sep 2018 00:15:00 +0100 Odds and Evenings full Odds and Evenings Topics Discussed: - Dominion Probabilities - The Cheapest Beer in Prague - The Angel Problem 54:49 no <p>The boys delve into some stats and game theory problems, ending with a classic from Conway.</p> <h3>Odds and Evenings</h3> <p>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/OddsAndEvenings" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://twitter.com/OddsAndEvenings</a><br> Website - <a href="http://www.oddsandevenings.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">http://www.oddsandevenings.com</a></p> <h3>Topics discussed</h3> <ul> <li>Dominion Probabilities</li> <li>The Cheapest Beer in Prague</li> <li>The Angel Problem</li> </ul> <h3>Show Notes</h3> <p><a href="http://www.alaricstephen.com/main-featured/2016/11/28/dominion-probabilities" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Dominion Probabilities Article</a><br> The Generalised Coupon Collecting Formula in [Wolfram Alpha](<a href="http://www.wolframalpha.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.wolframalpha.com</a>) Type this into input: sum from j=0 to 25 of ((-1)<sup>j</sup>(25 choose j)(((25-j) choose 10)/(25 choose 10))<sup>8)</sup><br> (I couldn't directly link because the % signs in the URL were messing up our site linking. Apologies for the mess.<br> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretary_problem" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">The Secretary Problem</a><br> <a href="http://www.alaricstephen.com/main-featured/2017/7/12/the-angel-problem" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">The Angel Problem (by Alaric)</a><br> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPLQgXUiU14&amp;ab_channel=singingbanana" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">James Grime's Video on the Codepad Problem</a></p> <h3>Credits</h3> <p>Hosted By <br> Alaric - <a href="http://alaricstephen.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">http://alaricstephen.com</a><br> Alex - <a href="http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords</a></p> <p>Editing by Alex<br> Back to school vocals by Alaric</p> <p>Theme music by David Russell - <a href="https://youtube.com/DavidRussell323" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://youtube.com/DavidRussell323</a> </p> Math, Maths, Podcast, Statistics, Game Theory, Probability, Mathematics The boys delve into some stats and game theory problems, ending with a classic from Conway.

Odds and Evenings

Twitter - https://twitter.com/OddsAndEvenings
Website - http://www.oddsandevenings.com

Topics discussed

  • Dominion Probabilities
  • The Cheapest Beer in Prague
  • The Angel Problem

Show Notes

Dominion Probabilities Article
The Generalised Coupon Collecting Formula in [Wolfram Alpha](www.wolframalpha.com) Type this into input: sum from j=0 to 25 of ((-1)j(25 choose j)(((25-j) choose 10)/(25 choose 10))8)
(I couldn't directly link because the % signs in the URL were messing up our site linking. Apologies for the mess.
The Secretary Problem
The Angel Problem (by Alaric)
James Grime's Video on the Codepad Problem

Credits

Hosted By
Alaric - http://alaricstephen.com
Alex - http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords

Editing by Alex
Back to school vocals by Alaric

Theme music by David Russell - https://youtube.com/DavidRussell323

]]> The boys delve into some stats and game theory problems, ending with a classic from Conway.

Odds and Evenings

Twitter - https://twitter.com/OddsAndEvenings
Website - http://www.oddsandevenings.com

Topics discussed

  • Dominion Probabilities
  • The Cheapest Beer in Prague
  • The Angel Problem

Show Notes

Dominion Probabilities Article
The Generalised Coupon Collecting Formula in [Wolfram Alpha](www.wolframalpha.com) Type this into input: sum from j=0 to 25 of ((-1)j(25 choose j)(((25-j) choose 10)/(25 choose 10))8)
(I couldn't directly link because the % signs in the URL were messing up our site linking. Apologies for the mess.
The Secretary Problem
The Angel Problem (by Alaric)
James Grime's Video on the Codepad Problem

Credits

Hosted By
Alaric - http://alaricstephen.com
Alex - http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords

Editing by Alex
Back to school vocals by Alaric

Theme music by David Russell - https://youtube.com/DavidRussell323

]]> #13 - Byzantines, Blockchain and Boats https://www.oddsandevenings.com/13 f51947d9-2cc9-43b2-a556-1ffae45e3f42 Mon, 04 Jun 2018 03:00:00 +0100 Odds and Evenings full Odds and Evenings Topics Discussed: - Nomic - Byzantine Generals Problem - Jealous Husbands River Crossing 1:05:46 no <p>The boys pretend to be from the holy roman empire and tell a story about a snake</p> <h3>Odds and Evenings</h3> <p>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/OddsAndEvenings" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://twitter.com/OddsAndEvenings</a><br> Website - <a href="http://www.oddsandevenings.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">http://www.oddsandevenings.com</a></p> <h3>Topics discussed</h3> <ul> <li>Nomic</li> <li>Byzantine Generals Problem</li> <li>Jealous Husbands River Crossing</li> </ul> <h3>Show Notes</h3> <p><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jvlBbiocCQmcie8duOdIdJ7OoHwFxP-Ijl33-oM7c5Q/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Nomic Starting Rules Document</a><br> <a href="https://people.eecs.berkeley.edu/%7Eluca/cs174/byzantine.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Byzantine Generals PDF</a><br> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missionaries_and_cannibals_problem" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Missionary and Cannibal Style Problems Wikipedia Page</a><br> <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/3619658" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Interesting jstor Article about the Jealous Husbands Problem</a><br> <a href="https://bl.ocks.org/TVerduyn/efed2a0ef9912d5eb13f4f32adf894b7" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">A beautiful visualisation of the Plane Problem solution by Tom Verduyn</a> </p> <h3>Credits</h3> <p>Hosted By <br> Alaric - <a href="http://alaricstephen.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">http://alaricstephen.com</a><br> Alex - <a href="http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords</a></p> <p>Editing by Alex<br> Tales from the logical beyond by Alaric</p> <p>Theme music by David Russell - <a href="https://youtube.com/DavidRussell323" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://youtube.com/DavidRussell323</a> </p> The boys pretend to be from the holy roman empire and tell a story about a snake

Odds and Evenings

Twitter - https://twitter.com/OddsAndEvenings
Website - http://www.oddsandevenings.com

Topics discussed

  • Nomic
  • Byzantine Generals Problem
  • Jealous Husbands River Crossing

Show Notes

Nomic Starting Rules Document
Byzantine Generals PDF
Missionary and Cannibal Style Problems Wikipedia Page
Interesting jstor Article about the Jealous Husbands Problem
A beautiful visualisation of the Plane Problem solution by Tom Verduyn

Credits

Hosted By
Alaric - http://alaricstephen.com
Alex - http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords

Editing by Alex
Tales from the logical beyond by Alaric

Theme music by David Russell - https://youtube.com/DavidRussell323

]]> The boys pretend to be from the holy roman empire and tell a story about a snake

Odds and Evenings

Twitter - https://twitter.com/OddsAndEvenings
Website - http://www.oddsandevenings.com

Topics discussed

  • Nomic
  • Byzantine Generals Problem
  • Jealous Husbands River Crossing

Show Notes

Nomic Starting Rules Document
Byzantine Generals PDF
Missionary and Cannibal Style Problems Wikipedia Page
Interesting jstor Article about the Jealous Husbands Problem
A beautiful visualisation of the Plane Problem solution by Tom Verduyn

Credits

Hosted By
Alaric - http://alaricstephen.com
Alex - http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords

Editing by Alex
Tales from the logical beyond by Alaric

Theme music by David Russell - https://youtube.com/DavidRussell323

]]> #1 - Tetrahedra, Truels and Triangular Children https://www.oddsandevenings.com/1 ef2344e1-3e14-4cfb-9da2-d77d40913f02 Sun, 10 Dec 2017 17:00:00 +0000 Odds and Evenings full Odds and Evenings Topics discussed - 3 Person Humbug, - Newcomb's Paradox, - Pennies in a Jar, - Triangular Children 48:47 no <h3>Odds and Evenings</h3> <p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/odds-and-evenings/id1323783266" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><br> iTunes link</a></p> <h3>Show Notes</h3> <p><a href="https://spacesymmetrystructure.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/tetpack1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Tetrahedra Being Disappointing</a><br> <a href="http://www.alaricstephen.com/main-featured/2017/9/18/truels" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Truels</a><br> <a href="http://www.alaricstephen.com/main-featured/2016/8/15/eulers-gem-applied-to-geodesic-domes" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Pentagons and Hexagons</a></p> <h3>Credits</h3> <p>Hosted By <br> Alaric - <a href="http://alaricstephen.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">http://alaricstephen.com</a><br> Alex - <a href="http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords</a></p> Odds and Evenings


iTunes link

Show Notes

Tetrahedra Being Disappointing
Truels
Pentagons and Hexagons

Credits

Hosted By
Alaric - http://alaricstephen.com
Alex - http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords

]]> Odds and Evenings


iTunes link

Show Notes

Tetrahedra Being Disappointing
Truels
Pentagons and Hexagons

Credits

Hosted By
Alaric - http://alaricstephen.com
Alex - http://twitter.com/speakmouthwords

]]>