Your seat. A bidding war.

Alternative choices are included so you can read every explanation.

The first lap

Let's return to the end of the first lap, before anyone reveals a card. In this example, you opened lowest. Noah changed it to highest. There are nine chips in the stash, and it's your turn again.

Your choice — both bids

You could end the round here. This time, let's start a bidding war. The highest first-lap bid was two chips. Match it with two, or raise to three. You'll change the declaration back to lowest. What will you bid?

You bid two chips. Slide them into the stash, and change the declaration to lowest wins. Your four is still hidden from the others.

You raise to three chips. Slide them into the stash, and change the declaration to lowest wins. A bigger bid makes the stash bigger, but doesn't guarantee you'll win.

Maya responds — both bids

Now it's Maya's turn. She opposes you, matching your two chips. Watch the declaration change again. Highest wins.

Now it's Maya's turn. She opposes you, matching your three chips. Watch the declaration change again. Highest wins.

Noah agrees

Next is Noah. He agrees with highest wins. In an ordinary bidding war, agreement costs no chips. His pile stays at eight. The declaration stays highest.

End the bidding

The turn comes back to you, the starter. You decide when to end the bidding war. Let's call it here. No more chips go in, and highest wins is final.

Reveal

Now reveal the cards. Your four, Maya's ten, and Noah's ace. Highest wins, so Maya takes this round. The biggest bid didn't decide the winner. The final declaration and the cards did.

Payout — both outcomes

All thirteen chips in the stash go to Maya. You have six, Maya has twenty, and Noah has eight. The bank still has thirty-six. Next round, Maya starts. That's a bidding war.

All fifteen chips in the stash go to Maya. You have five, Maya has twenty-one, and Noah has eight. The bank still has thirty-six. Next round, Maya starts. That's a bidding war.