TEAM TASK 4: RED BLACK

1. Duration (Task + Review)

80 Minutes Total
5 minutes gathering everyone and briefing
40 minutes task (based on 10 choices lasting 3 minutes on average each + 2 x 5 minute conferences)
35 minutes review
2. Coaches Summary
Two teams play this 10-round psychological game based on the prisoners dilemma. They are told that the aim of the game is to
maximise the points and they usually take this as meaning a competition. The idea is they have to work out whether to cooperate
or compete. The ensuing debates can lead to big learning about the assumption of competition.
3. Number of Participants
Task has been designed for 2 teams of 5-8 people
On any given course of 32 participants a considerable number of people may know the game, and hence become
observers. The course director must decide the size and structure of the teams one he/she knows how many
people will be playing.
Suggestion is that less than 5 people in a team will not deliver so much learning. Likewise, more than 10 would be
too much, with some people just not being involved.
If there are 20 or more people playing, it has worked well in the past to play two games simultaneously as this
can double the learning in the review afterwards!
4. People Needed to Run the Task Roles
The following roles need to be filled by team members:
Game-leader usually the course director or ACD (who will take a single large review with all teams after the
game). This person briefs everyone as a whole, and then stays in between the teams as the game is played,
recording the scores on a whiteboard.
2 coaches (1 per team) to report back to the Game-leader each time the team takes a decision to play red or black.
5. Materials
2 black cards
2 red cards
1 whiteboard
6. Set-up Instructions
Ensuring that there is a good location to play such that the two teams and the flipchart location are out of site of each
other.

Ensure the cards and flipchart are present.
Write up the points scoring table (see below) on one flipchart page so it can be used to show the participants during
the brief if the course director wishes to do so.
It is recommended that the two teams are separated by some distance cannot see or hear each other during play.
The idea is that teams are only allowed to communicate via the conferences.
Choose a conference location
7. Briefing and Preparation for Coaches READ BEFOREHAND!

TEAM TASK 4: RED BLACK


Spare team coaches can act as observers and can move between teams to observe as they wish
It is best if all the coaches and staff (including observing participants) maintain a cool, calm and solemn presence so as to not
give anything away or interrupt or influence the proceedings in any way.
IMPORTANT NOTE: once the briefing is complete, there should be no communication between the two teams or
between teams and any staff, coaches or observing participants.
8. Participant Briefing
Assemble all participants near the flipchart, and read the following brief. IMPORTANT: Read the brief exactly as the
wording is critical:

Some of you may already know about this game. As I read the brief, if you realise you have played it before,
for the sake of those who have not, please step aside, keep quiet and do not participate in the game. Your
observations will be valuable for the review at the end. If you are not sure if you should play, consult myself or
one of the coaches prior to the start of the game.

The objective of this exercise is to maximize the number of points.

A team coach will visit your group and ask you to decide whether to play red or to play black. The coach will
not tell you which colour the other group has played. When both groups have decided their colour, the coach
will announce the colours which have been played.

Play will be scored as follows:

If Group 1 & Group 2 the score is Group 1 Group 2
PLAYS PLAYS

Red Red +3 +3
Red Black -6 +6
Black Red +6 -6
Black Black -3 -3

It is suggested that you record this now, as you will not be able to see it again.

There will be ten rounds. After the fourth round the coach will ask each team whether they wish to have a
conference. This conference will only take place at the request of both teams. If either does not wish to confer
there will be no meeting.

After the eighth round there will be a second opportunity for a conference should both groups wish it.

The ninth and tenth rounds score double.

Immediately send the teams off to their playing locations with their designated coach. Once the teams are in place, give
them 4 minutes to make their first choice. After then, give only 2 minutes between red/black choices.
Possible Variations / Other Notes
Sometimes the game leader chooses to show the points system to the participants during the briefing or at least
suggests that they write it down. This can be important, because sometimes the point of the game has not been
actually tested because teams have not recorded the scoring system. In this case, the teams only really get to learn
that taking down instructions is an important thing to do but it misses the main point of the assumption of
competition. It is therefore suggested that whoever is running the task, show the teams the scoring method, and
suggest they write it down.