The Prompt (Question 3)

Question

• Cathy has two unknown purple cards in her hand.
• Alice wants to give a Play Clue to the purple 4.
• What clue should Alice give?

Solution

• It is possible for Alice to give a Play Clue to the purple 4 either by cluing purple or by cluing number 4. Both clues would focus the purple 4.
• However, this would signal a Prompt to Cathy, and she would play her purple cards from left to right. That means that the purple 3 would misplay from slot 4.
• Thus, Alice is not allowed to give a Play Clue to the purple 4.
• Instead, Alice can clue number 3 to Cathy. This would focus the purple 3 as a Self-Prompt.
• After that, Alice can give a Play Clue to the purple 4 without any problems.
• Note that normally, players are not supposed to give Tempo Clues, because they do not meet Minimum Clue Value Principle. But here, Alice has a very good reason to give a Tempo Clue - Cathy's cards are "out of order". So, it is okay to break the rule.