The art of war as it applies to DOND

Over weeks of watching DOND it has become clear to me that those who attach emotions and dreams to the success of their play, seem to fair less well compared to those who can remain detached and unemotional. This reminded me of a couple of texts I read many years ago, one by Sun Wu, the other by Shinmen Musashi.

[Sun Wu was a Chinese general who lived over 2000 years ago in the state of Wu - he wrote Sun Tzu The Art of War for the military elite of his army, but it continues to be read because it contains many infinite truths. Approximately 1000 years later Musashi wrote A Book of Five Rings. Musashi was the most famous samurai warrior of his time (really of any time). I like to think of Sun Wu as the strategist, and Musashi as the tactician.]


Do nothing which is of no use.
[Musashi - Ground, A Book of Five Rings]

DOND - a number of players move quickly from one box to the next, without considering fully the information they have just received. Geordie was an extreme example of this; he started at the left and moved round to the right, opening each consecutive box regardless of what the previous one contained. He left with £20 and the banker's offers were low throughout.

If you are formless, the most penetrating spies will not be able to discern you, or the wisest counsels will not be able to do calculations against you.
[Sun Wu - Chapter 6, The Art of War]

DOND - The banker has the benefit of watching each player for many days before they take their turn, he probably receives feedback on their activities at the hotel as well as the studio. The less accurate information the banker has about the player the better. If the banker thinks the player is already rich, or relatively unimpressed by wealth, then his offers are likely to be on the high side.


Warfare is the Way of deception. Therefore, if able, appear unable; if active, appear not active; if near, appear far; if far, appear near; if they have advantage, entice them; if they are confused, take them; if they are substantial, prepare for them; if they are strong, avoid them; if they are angry, disturb them; if they are humble, make them haughty; if they are relaxed, toil them; if they are united, separate them.
[Sun Wu - Chapter 1, The Art of War]


DOND - Remaining illusive for anywhere beween four and six weeks will be almost impossible for most people, but those that can remain low key throughout, or at least provide a false impression will definitely help their cause.


What is called the spirit of the void is where there is nothing. It is not included in man's knowledge. Of course the void is nothingness. By knowing things that exist, you can know that which does not exist. That is the void......Until you realise the true Way, whether in Buddhism or in common sense, you may think that things are correct and in order. However, if we look at things objectively, from the viewpoint of laws of the world, we see various doctrines departing from the true Way. Know well this spirit, and with forthrightness as the foundation and the true spirit as the Way. Enact strategy broadly, correctly and openly.
[Musashi - Void, A Book of Five Rings]

DOND - The way of the void in the context of DOND, is to operate as a player without any sense of winning or losing. True samurais would rush into battle without any care if they lived or died; this frightened their enemies and forced them to make mistakes, and it allowed the samurais to calmly take advantage - so it should be against the banker. At the very least it should allow the player to consider offers without being emotionally swayed by the amounts of money involved.