Three elemental game progress patterns

Abstract

This paper is concerned with three elemental game progress patterns. It is found that each of the three games in 2010 FIFA World Cup, Group E is a combination of the elemental progress patterns. It is confirmed that the analysed Soccer and Chess games are a combination of the elemental game progress patterns. It is suggested that this finding is universal for all games. Time history of information of game outcome obtained by data analyses and existing models suggests that for neutral observers a "balanced game" is frustrating, a "one-sided game" is boring, and a "seesaw game" is exciting. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.