Comments on: The Hat Puzzle (A Consulting or Engineering Interview Brain Teaser) http://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/2008/04/15/the-hat-puzzle-a-consulting-or-engineering-interview-brain-teaser/ Articles on game theory and personal finance Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:33:15 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Ranjan http://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/2008/04/15/the-hat-puzzle-a-consulting-or-engineering-interview-brain-teaser/comment-page-1/#comment-6419 Ranjan Thu, 18 Mar 2010 06:09:31 +0000 http://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/2008/04/15/the-hat-puzzle-a-consulting-or-engineering-interview-brain-teaser/#comment-6419 Extraordinary analysis...probability and strategy is best taught in a lucid game-like manner Extraordinary analysis…probability and strategy is best taught in a lucid game-like manner

]]> By: WG http://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/2008/04/15/the-hat-puzzle-a-consulting-or-engineering-interview-brain-teaser/comment-page-1/#comment-5683 WG Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:04:59 +0000 http://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/2008/04/15/the-hat-puzzle-a-consulting-or-engineering-interview-brain-teaser/#comment-5683 I have a 100% winning strategy as well, but mine works, John. Before the game in this initial consulting session, I decide "I am the guesser, you two say pass regardless of the situation." I determine who is pass 1 and who is pass 2. Then I say "If my had is red, pass 1 say 'pass' first. If my hat is blue, pass 2 say 'pass' first." That way, Whichever says pass first, I know the color of my hat. Then I guess red or blue accordingly, and we are rich! I have a 100% winning strategy as well, but mine works, John.
Before the game in this initial consulting session, I decide “I am the guesser, you two say pass regardless of the situation.” I determine who is pass 1 and who is pass 2. Then I say “If my had is red, pass 1 say ‘pass’ first. If my hat is blue, pass 2 say ‘pass’ first.” That way, Whichever says pass first, I know the color of my hat. Then I guess red or blue accordingly, and we are rich!

]]> By: Mussad http://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/2008/04/15/the-hat-puzzle-a-consulting-or-engineering-interview-brain-teaser/comment-page-1/#comment-5648 Mussad Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:12:42 +0000 http://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/2008/04/15/the-hat-puzzle-a-consulting-or-engineering-interview-brain-teaser/#comment-5648 Hey John, your response is meaningless. You're referring to another hat game. The assumption in your first sentence is not the one of the problem described here. Better read an article before you tell us about a 100 % winning strategy! Hey John, your response is meaningless. You’re referring to another hat game. The assumption in your first sentence is not the one of the problem described here. Better read an article before you tell us about a 100 % winning strategy!

]]> By: John http://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/2008/04/15/the-hat-puzzle-a-consulting-or-engineering-interview-brain-teaser/comment-page-1/#comment-5540 John Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:09:01 +0000 http://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/2008/04/15/the-hat-puzzle-a-consulting-or-engineering-interview-brain-teaser/#comment-5540 I have a way to win 100% of the time. There always has to be at least two hats of the same color. When you walk in the room, the only person who passes is the one who sees two hats of the same color. Then either one of the 2 remaining players can correctly guess their own hat color by looking at the person's hat who did not pass. If all 3 hats are the same color, then nobody passes - and any player can guess that their hat will be the color of the others'. I have a way to win 100% of the time.
There always has to be at least two hats of the same color. When you walk in the room, the only person who passes is the one who sees two hats of the same color. Then either one of the 2 remaining players can correctly guess their own hat color by looking at the person’s hat who did not pass. If all 3 hats are the same color, then nobody passes – and any player can guess that their hat will be the color of the others’.

]]> By: Curtis Autery http://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/2008/04/15/the-hat-puzzle-a-consulting-or-engineering-interview-brain-teaser/comment-page-1/#comment-5427 Curtis Autery Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:29:50 +0000 http://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/2008/04/15/the-hat-puzzle-a-consulting-or-engineering-interview-brain-teaser/#comment-5427 >>No communication of any sort is allowed<< Is that so? Listening to your fellow players guess is communication. If that is allowed, how about listening to how long it takes to pass? Let's say Alice is the official guesser, and Bob and Chris are the official passers. Bob passes at any time. If Alice's hat is red, Chris immediately passes also. If Alice's hat is blue, he waits 5 seconds, and then passes. Alice will then always know her hat color. >>No communication of any sort is allowed<<

Is that so? Listening to your fellow players guess is communication. If that is allowed, how about listening to how long it takes to pass?

Let’s say Alice is the official guesser, and Bob and Chris are the official passers. Bob passes at any time. If Alice’s hat is red, Chris immediately passes also. If Alice’s hat is blue, he waits 5 seconds, and then passes.

Alice will then always know her hat color.

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