I should have responded earlier but better late than never (maybe).


Diana Manister wrote (Wed, 20 Feb 2008):
> 
> Gunnar, I've seen Marienbad many times, but not for a long while.
...
> Also the card game in the clip. Someone must lose.

It has been ages since I've seen the movie too but I think you are
talking about the game of cards where each of two players picks up
cards in turn until there is only one.

Yes, one person must lose but if you go first and know how to move
you will always be the winner.  If the other player goes first but
doesn't know the moves then the chances are that you will win.

See the Wikipedia article on Nim (though there probably are clearer
explanations on the web about the winning strategy.)
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nim

Regards,
    Rick Parker