Re: The Maven program, as it relates to endgame

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: Maven will make numerous questionable plays early and in midgame, but he is renown for his endgame, whether it be simple or complex. He could care less for how many points he scores, but uses algorithms to maximize his spread over his opponent. : I'm sure the top experts have terrific endgames, but with time pressures, distractions from the surroundings, and similar type human elements, their endgame cannot compare to a computer's nerveless temperment and complete knowledge of the dictionaries. (OSPD2+ and Webster's 10th) : What Maven cannot do is play a very plausible phoney. And this is something a human can do. And that may be the only way a player may have in winning a game, slipping in a timely phoney. : Not to put ya on the spot, but I would be interested in a board situation where Maven blows the endgame. Make it as complex as ya want. : In the game situation A.hey mentioned, a possible answer to her question may have to do with this concept with maximizing the spread. Or maybe his only chance to win or maximize spread is if none of the opponents go out, and he is able to play again. Perhaps the algorith conceded the win to the winner and he tried to maximaize his spread over the two other opponents. In a 4 way game, a player may know what tiles are out when the bag is empty, but one is unable to be certain of who has which tiles. Whereas in a 2-way game, even if there is a few tiles in the bag, Maven can easily ascertain all the possibilities and the subsequent outcomes. : Maybe all the very top players have a pretty complete knowledge of OSPD2+ but there is a player out there that probably has a stronger knowledge of Webster's 10th, which may be the play needed to win the game. Some players can actually see and competantly search for 10-14 letter words. Perhaps better than the experts mentioned in your post. : : : First of all I would like to say that Maven's endgame, in my opinion, is flat out weak. I'd take Cappaletto, Edley, or Sherman's endgame before I'd take Maven's. Heck I'd trust my own endgame before Maven; I've seen it blow quite a few endgames myself, albeit some of them are complex. This is because often times Maven plays for equity, instead of ensuring a win. Humans, even players of the quality of randyhersom often make similar mistakes. Its one of the flaws of the program, that many live players possess. : : However, I'm going to, in all likelihood, agree with Maven. To properly evaluate the rack, you must look at what Maven has. If his only tile left is a Q or something, than you should take as many points as possible, aka hot/tho. You need to delve into Maven's next play. This is the concept of endgame; to figure out your OPPONENT'S next play. This is the concept of endgame; one of the negative side effects of MPlayer. If he had only a 6 point play or something next turn, then toad/shoat would be some of the worst plays... I'll give the program enough credit that it doesn't blow simple endgames, only complex ones. : : : : I was playing a group game with Maven (set on highest level of Champion) this morning. For the last play of the game, I found myself with AOT? The score is me @ 140 something, them @ 110ish, 150ish, and 179ish. Here we go! I have a blank and what appears to be a cooperative board. I am hopeful that I can win this game in this final play--by collecting the points on the Mavens’ racks. : : : The best I could find was TOAd with double word score and some parallel play extras collecting 19 points. I think, well, maybe? Right before I hit play, I click on hints to see what the best play would have been. Maven suggests THO or HOT for 12 and other plays worth less points (most of which are saving the blank). My second best play was sHOAT for double word score and making Aline with the A front hook that would have scored 18 points. I am curious as to why our beloved Maven did not offer up TOAd or sHOAT? (I still cannot believe there were no other plays worth more that allowed me to go out.) : : : The game ends with me, myself, and I @ 168, Maven x3 @ 101, 148, and 177. : : : Two questions… : : : Is there a way to save a board like this for future reference? : : : Why didn’t Maven come up with the 2 higher plays TOAd and sHOAT--along with other better plays? : : : Thanks and enjoy your games, a.hey

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