[alokt_]

Isn't this analogous to a "guess a number" game? You have a stack of cards that range from 2 to Ace. If I were to play this game I would not start talking to a guy who has a King on his forehead. I would go to a 5-7 and then determine where I ranked, if I felt I were below 5-7, then I know I am in 2-4 or if I were above them, 8-K. It would seem it would only take only a few more iterations to figure out which status I have.

[michaelochurch]

Remember that the 5-7 don't know that they're 5-7 when the game starts. They have no idea. It takes a while before they figure out where they stand. When the game starts, people are all over the map in how they represent themselves.

The 2-4 and the Q-A figure it out quickly. Then the Q-A start talking down to the 9-J but no one else does, so they figure out where they stand. Because of miscommunication and confusion, it takes a few minutes (maybe 10) of interaction before people figure it out.

Just to fuck around and have fun, I'd talk down to the Q-A and suck up to the 2-4. It'd be interesting to see how this game changes when there's an intentional "spoiler" in the mix.