Episode description

It’s that time of the year when many of us are at home with friends and family, losing track of time, eating leftovers, and, of course, playing games.

This festive season, we look at the science of games and, of course, play some ourselves.

It’s presenter Marnie Chesterton versus producer Florian Bohr at Marnie's kitchen table.... Who will win the Inside Science games special?

Irving Finkel from the British Museum tells Marnie about the Royal Game of Ur, one of the most ancient board games which is strikingly similar to more modern examples of race games. Also, why we play games with author and neuroscientist Kelly Clancy, and why we struggle to comprehend the randomness of dice with author Tim Clare.

To finish it off, mathematician Marcus du Sautory explains the geometry behind the game Dobble and leaves listeners with a Christmas puzzle: Can you figure out the symbols on the two missing Dobble cards?

If you think you’ve found the solution, please email insidescience@bbc.co.uk

Presenter: Marnie Chesterton Producers: Florian Bohr Editor: Martin Smith Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth    To discover more fascinating science content, head to bbc.co.uk search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University.