[kernel_sanders]

My Dad, a physicist, taught me that game as a kid. I have great memories of him producing a pen at any restaurant we might have been at, and he and I passing any waiting time playing sprouts on napkins or paper scraps. I since play it with my kids.

[michaelfeathers]

Did you ever learn about the variant called 'Brussels Sprouts' and the trick to winning?

[coldpie]

Please explain :)

[michaelfeathers]

If I remember correctly, instead of only allowing three edges to emanate from a vertex, you can have four. All other rules are the same. Apparently, in that set up, the the first player either always wins or loses depending upon whether the number of initial vertices is odd.

[Someone]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprouts_%28game%29#Brussels_Spr...