Appendix (Online): Instructions for the Subjects

Appendix (Online): Instructions for the Subjects

Welcome to the experiment on Jeopardy Race Games. This experiment is open to any students enrolled in BUS-101 section where the instructor is participating in the College of Business Research Subject Pool. The instructions for the experiment are simple. If you follow them carefully and make good decisions, you could earn up to $20 by playing five rounds of the game. In addition, you will earn a $5 “show-up” fee and extra credit points amounting to 3% of your final course grade, regardless of how many rounds you play.

Description of the Task

In this version of the Jeopardy Race Game, you will play five rounds (games) against a randomly determined opponent. Each game is identical. The object of the game is to be the first person to reach 100 points. You earn points by rolling an electronic die on the computer screen. If you roll a 2 through 6, those points are added to your turn total, and you may roll again, or hold. If you choose to hold, the points accumulated in your turn total are added to your game total and it becomes your opponent’s turn to play. If you choose to roll again, you may add additional points to your turn total, provided you do not roll a 1. If you roll a 1, you lose those points in your turn total and it becomes your opponent’s turn to play. Your opponent plays by the same rules.

In summary:

• If a 1 is rolled, the player’s turn ends and all of the points in the turn total are lost.
• If a 2 through 6 is rolled, that number is added to the player’s turn total, and the player decides to roll again, or hold.
• If the player decides to hold, points in the turn total are added to the game total and the player’s turn ends.
• The first player to accumulate 100 points in their game total wins the round.

The player who rolls first will be determined by chance at the beginning of the first game. In subsequent games, the player who begins play will be rotated.

Receiving Extra Credit and Payment

Your earnings will be paid to you in cash at the end of the experiment. Remember that you will earn your extra credit points and $5 for participating in the study, regardless of how many rounds you play. In addition, you will earn $4 for each game you win. Payment will be made in cash at the end of the session.

Thank you for participating and good luck!