The Pearls Before Swine game is a game of "NIM", a two-player mathematical game of strategy in which players take turns removing objects (pearls in this case) from distinct heaps.
A normal play game may start with heaps of 3, 4 and 5 objects:
Nim has been mathematically solved for any number of initial heaps and objects; that is, there is an easily-calculated way to determine which player will win and what winning moves are open to that player. In a game that starts with heaps of 3, 4, and 5, the first player will win with optimal play, whether the misère or normal play convention is followed.
1. Take 2 from A (top row of 2). 2. Pirate takes 1 from B (second row of 4). 3. Take 3 from C (botton row of 5). 4. Pirate takes 1 from B. 5. Take remaining pearl from A. 6. Pirate takes 1 from B. 7. Take remaining 2 from C. 8. Leaves one in B....Pirate loses!!! Yeahhhhhh!!!