How to Play

1. Start a case

Press Start Case and choose how long you want the case to be, from 10 to 100 rounds. The court then assigns you an opponent at random. You won't be told who it is: the opponent is shown only as “Opposing Counsel” until the verdict.

The real length of the case is within 25% of what you asked for, and you only find out it's over when the last round is played. That stops anyone from planning a sneaky final-round attack.

2. Settle or Sue

Each round you both pick a move. Points depend on the pair of moves (your points / their points):

That's the dilemma: in any single round, suing scores more whatever the other side does. But if both sides keep suing, both end up with 1 point a round instead of 3.

Misfiles: courts make paperwork mistakes. Each round there's a 5% chance that a move, yours or theirs, gets filed as its opposite. When it happens to you, the round shows which move you chose and which one was filed. A good strategy has to survive the odd accident.

3. The verdict

• CASE WON (more points than them): you earn coins equal to the number of rounds.
• MISTRIAL (a tie): you earn a quarter of the rounds in coins, rounded down.
• VERDICT: GUILTY (fewer points): no coins.

Win or lose, the verdict screen reveals who you were up against, how they decide their moves, a summary of the rounds, and the best way to beat them next time. Losing still teaches you something.

Leaving a case unfinished counts as a loss. If you start a new case while one is open (say, after reloading the page), the old one is closed as GUILTY.

4. Objection!

Once 3 rounds are on the record, you may object once per case and name the opponent you think you're facing. A correct call pays a bonus at the verdict equal to the rounds still expected (at least 3 coins), so calling it early pays more. A wrong call strikes 5 points from your total.

5. Motions

Each motion costs coins and can be used once per case:

• Subpoena (15 coins): Before you choose this round, see whether opposing counsel will Settle or Sue.
• Plea deal (10 coins): Your points next round count twice: 3 becomes 6, 5 becomes 10. If you score 0, you still get 0.
• Continuance (20 coins): Strike the last round from the record. Both scores go back and you replay it. They file the same move again, so now you know it.

6. The daily case

Once per day (UTC) everyone gets the same case: the same opponent and the same length (around 20 rounds). An abandoned daily case still uses up your attempt. Motions aren't allowed, so everyone plays the same case on equal terms. Win it on consecutive days to build a streak, and use the share button on the verdict to compare with friends without spoiling who the opponent was.

7. Coins and your record

Coins, wins, losses, draws and your daily streak are saved in your browser, on this device. There's no sign-up. Clearing your browser data or switching devices starts you over.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Prisoner's Dilemma?

A game where two players each choose to cooperate or defect without knowing the other's choice. Defecting scores more in any single round, but if both defect, both do worse than if both had cooperated. In Lawmaxxer, cooperating is Settle and defecting is Sue.

Is Lawmaxxer free?

Yes. The game is free to play in any modern browser. Coins are earned by winning cases and can't be bought.

Do I need an account?

No. Open the page and play. Your coins, record and daily streak are saved in your browser on this device.

Does it work on a phone?

Yes. Lawmaxxer runs in the browser on phones, tablets and computers, with nothing to install.

Who are the opponents?

Computer opponents, each playing a classic strategy from game theory research. You aren't told which one you face until the verdict, so reading their moves is part of the game.

Is this legal advice?

No. The courtroom is a theme for teaching game theory. Nothing in the game is legal advice.