Activity: Win As Much As You Can 

Objective:

To explore the dynamics of teamwork, trust, and decision-making in a competitive environment while understanding the balance between collaboration and individual gain.

Materials Needed:

• Pens

• Decision cards labeled "X" and "Y" for each team

• Score tally sheet for each team

Group Size:

• Teams of exactly 4 participants

• The number of teams can vary (as long as each team has 4 members)

Time Required:

• Approximately 30-40 minutes, including debriefing

Instructions:

1. Setup:

   • Divide participants into teams of four. The total number of teams depends on the number of participants.

   • Assign each team a private space to deliberate.

2. Game Overview:

   • The goal is to "win as much as you can."

   • The game consists of 10 rounds, where each team must choose X or Y.

   • Teams submit their choices secretly before revealing them at the same time.

3. Rules:

   • No inter-team communication is allowed unless a round explicitly allows negotiation.

   • Each team must make a unified decision (either X or Y) per round.

   • Choices remain confidential until all teams reveal them together.

4. Scoring System:

   • If all teams choose X, everyone loses points. If all teams choose Y, everyone gains.

   • The strategy emerges from teams balancing risk, cooperation, and self-interest.

5. Gameplay:

   • Rounds 1-4: Each team has 1 minute to decide. They then reveal their choice at the same time. The facilitator updates the score.

   • Round 5 (Bonus Round): Points are tripled, and teams are allowed 3 minutes to negotiate with other teams before choosing.

   • Rounds 6-7: Standard rounds resume, with no inter-team communication.

   • Round 8 (Bonus Round): Points are quintupled, and teams can negotiate again before choosing.

   • Rounds 9-10: Standard rounds continue with final decisions impacting the overall game outcome.

   • Round 10 (Final Bonus Round): Points are multiplied by 10, with a last negotiation opportunity before revealing choices.

Debriefing Discussion:

After the game, facilitate a discussion with these guiding questions:

• What was your team's initial strategy? Did it change over time?

• How did trust (or lack of trust) affect decision-making?

• How did the bonus rounds influence strategy?

• What does this game teach us about teamwork, competition, and collaboration in real-world settings?

• How does this relate to trust-building in professional teams?

Facilitator Notes:

• Observe team dynamics closely—did teams compete aggressively, or did they attempt to collaborate?

• Highlight how long-term cooperation often leads to better results than short-term competition.

• Connect the activity to real-world teamwork, emphasizing how trust and communication impact group success.

Conclusion:
Win As Much As You Can provides participants with an engaging way to experience the tension between cooperation and competition, helping them reflect on how trust and strategic decision-making play a role in effective teamwork.