[Guest]

there are 27 pieces, each of which have 3 properties, size, color, and shape. there are 3 sizes, small, medium, and large, 3 colors, red, blue, and yellow, and 3 shapes, triangle, square, and star. there are three 3x3 grids arranged on top of each other where these pieces must be placed. two players take turns placing 3 pieces at a time, and if either player forms a group of 3 in a row, column, or file such that they all share 1 of the same property, then that player wins. however your opponent picks the pieces you use. if the game ends in a draw, then the second player wins, as the first player would have and extra turn. which player would you rather be, player 1 or player 2?

here's a couple of example turns:

player 2 selects for player 1

star,blue,small; star,yellow,medium; square,yellow,large

since these 3 don't form a winning group, player 1 places them all along the same line, to maximize his choices. (from 1,1,1 to 1,1,3)

player 1 picks for player 2

star,red,medium; triangle,blue,large; triangle,yellow,small

player 2 can't form a winning group. he places the star,red,medium next to the square,yellow,large (1,2,3),

the triangle,blue,large next to the star,yellow,medium (1,2,2), and the triangle,yellow,small next to the star,red,medium (1,3,3).

player 2 has a tougher choice now, as he cant pick 2 of anything with the same property. still he could pick something like...

triangle,red,medium; square,blue,small; star,yellow,large to give player 1 no win for the next turn. and so on.