The mechanical voice rang out again, sharp and unwavering.
"Lucas and Max, you must begin placing your tokens. No further strategizing with your teams is allowed. The game continues now."
Max stood tall, his gaze fixed on the wheel. He just tried to think of every possible scenario, and now it was time to put his plan into action. The one thing he had to avoid was getting too wrapped up in what Lucas would do. He had to make his move, trusting in his strategy.
Max's first move was critical. He had considered the possibility that Lucas might try to block +50. Lucas has no choice after all. Max does what he already decided with his team. He puts a token to double +40.
Lucas thought that due to having more tokens available Max will change his strategy but right now he just did what Lucas already discussed with his team. There is a chance this is done so that Lucas will waste a token but Lucas has no choice. Still, I should make some changes. Lucas put the "Block" token on the +50 section. Fine then, I will play your game. Let's see what you are plotting. Lucas gets ready for a game of token placement with some underline strategy in mind.
Max only has "Block" and "Swap" tokens left. He turned towards the speaker and asked "What happens if Swap is used on a section that has Block or Double applied."
The mechanical voice rang out again, " The tokens are applied based on 2 things, the positioning of a number and the effect that number would have on overall pointing of the team. So even if you use your 'Swap' on a number that has 'Block' on it, the 'Block' will remain on that number even if its position is changed. For example, Lucas has blocked +50, If you were to swap it with let's say -40 which has nothing applied then -40 will take +50 position but 'Block' will remain on +50 itself. Consequently, -40 took +50 position and that section of the wheel is not blocked anymore."
What?! Damn it. That changes the whole situation. I assumed that a number which has been blocked wouldn't be allowed to move. I should have verified. - Lucas cursed himself.
Max moves and uses his "Swap" token. "I wish to swap +50 with -30". The number on the wheel swapped. Originally, the wheel had positive numbers on one side and negative numbers on the other. Even if the spin is random, there is a 50% chance of either positive number or negative if we don't care about their value. I should change this distribution so that randomization is more random. Max thought to himself. With this there is a positive number in the middle of the negative number strip. Even if the number is blocked, if the arrow stops at that place, there would be a re-spin.
I see. He wants to reduce the chance of negative numbers popping up. That way he is increasing the chance of positive numbers appearing. But his team's points are at -10. Unless the arrow really stops at the doubled +40, his team has lost. The percentage of the arrow landing on the doubled +40 from among the other positive numbers is even less. He can't change that so he probably wants to redistribute negative numbers or block them to increase the chances of positive numbers. Even then this is a gamble with a low chance of succeeding. Lucas thought.
Lucas also uses his "Swap" token. "I wish to swap +50 with -30 as well." The wheel panels for these numbers changed and the numbers went back to their original position. With this I have reset the odds. Although, it will be beneficial for me if negative numbers don't pop up but your team is the one that is against the wall so anything that benefits you is something that I have to eliminate.
Damn It! I thought he would use his own token to replace a negative number with a positive number just like I did because that way we are decreasing the chances of negative numbers popping up but it looks like he doesn't want to give my team any chance of a comeback. Fine. Max used his last "Block" token and placed it on the -30 that is in its original position.
Lucas used his last "Double" token and put it on +10. He blocked -30 which is in the middle of the negative number strip so that if there is a chance of the arrow stopping on it then there would be a re-spin. I had to use my token but I can't use it on a big number and allow the other team to have a chance of comeback. So I used it on +10. This way even if during their team's turn that arrow lands on it, they won't have enough points to win against my team. Lucas contemplated.
Damn It! He did everything possible so that my team's chances didn't improve much. Max commented in his mind.
"Now then, both teams' tokens are used. Tell me how you want to decide who will go first." the voice said from the speaker.
"Let me go first", said Max. "Just let me get this over with.", Max looked serious, I have done everything I could. Now it is up to Luck. He finished thinking.
Lucas didn't say anything.
"Because Lucas didn't object then I will take this as his Yes. Max please do the honors." The voice replied to the speaker.
Max went to the lever and pulled.
The wheel started spinning and it was going faster than it ever did showing that there was some chance done by the proctor to increase the randomness. It continued to spin for more than a minute before stopping on -30.
"-30 is blocked. You have to do the spin again." The voice replied to the speaker.
Shit! To think that what Max predicted actually happened. Let's hope luck is no longer on their side. Lucas commented.
Max pulled the lever again. The wheel spun and as before after more than 1 minute It was about to stop. The arrow was in the positive number region and that means if the arrow either landed on +40(Doubled) or +50 then the situation would change. Everyone was looking with bated breaths. Finally, the arrow stopped on +20. This decided the outcome.
"Because the arrow landed on +20, Team Ronald's final score is +10. Unfortunately, even if on Lucas' spin the arrow stops on -50, Lucas' team will win as their current score is +70. Team Ronald is eliminated from the Hunter exams." The voice replied to the speaker.
There is a shout of joy from Lucas' team. Max and his team on the other hand looked sad.
Max's fists clenched as he processed their loss. I did everything I could, he thought. In the end, it just wasn't enough.
As Lucas approached the lever for his ceremonial spin, he cast a glance at Max. "Good game," he said quietly, with a nod of respect.
Max met his gaze. "Yeah. Good game."