Watchly Safety Review

BEST Guess Who Strategy- 96% WIN record using MATH

Mark Rober
12:25 · 30.7M views · November 17, 2015
All reviews →
Minor FlagsReviewed June 2026
3Minor Flags

This is an excellent educational video that uses the classic board game Guess Who to teach probability, statistics, and strategic thinking. The creator visits his former high school statistics teacher to work through the math behind an optimal winning strategy, making complex concepts accessible and engaging for viewers.

Content Breakdown · 3 Categories

Substance Use & Sports BettingA little

One brief, clearly humorous reference to gambling in Vegas context. This is presented as a joke rather than promotion or glorification of gambling. The reference is casual and not instructional.

See evidence (2)
I'm gonna destroy the underground Guess Who gambling market in Vegas with one YouTube video.~10:00-11:00
This is exactly why Vegas casinos have no windows or clocks. They have a small statistical advantage.~12:30
Playful & Fantasy ViolenceA little

Very mild playful competitive language using battle/combat metaphors in the context of board games. Clearly stylized and non-threatening, presented entirely in jest about family game competition.

See evidence (3)
I wanna know when I go into battle against my six year old nephew~9:00
Now all you need is a time machine to return to 1991 and CRUSH Jeff Lee in the 5th grade Guess Who Championships0:00
I'm gonna destroy the underground Guess Who gambling market~10:00
Bullying, Cruelty & DiscriminationA little

One self-aware acknowledgment of outdated racial representation in the original game, presented critically rather than endorsing discrimination. The creator explicitly notes society has 'evolved' from this. Also playful competitive language about beating a nephew, but clearly in jest.

See evidence (2)
Is your person African American? Yes. And thankfully we've evolved, but in Milton Bradley's defense, it was the early eighties and casual racism was still acceptable.~4:30
I wanna know when I go into battle against my six year old nephew~9:00

What Parents Need to Know

This video is educational content focused on mathematics and probability theory. The creator uses a childhood board game to demonstrate statistical concepts like bell curves, standard deviation, and the law of large numbers. There's one brief mention of 'casual racism' when discussing the game's 1980s design (referring to limited diversity in characters), which is handled maturely and critically. The video includes positive role modeling through the creator's respect for teachers and emphasis on learning. The content is intellectually challenging but presented in an entertaining way that makes math concepts accessible.

Talk to Your Kids About

  1. 1Ask your child what strategies they use when playing games and whether they think math could help them improve
  2. 2Discuss how the video shows that learning doesn't stop after school—the creator reconnected with his teacher 18 years later to explore a math problem
  3. 3Talk about the 'law of large numbers' concept and how it applies to real-world situations like why casinos always win over time
  4. 4Explore together how the video demonstrates that asking the right questions (broad vs. narrow) matters in problem-solving
BEST Guess Who Strategy- 96% WIN record using MATH
Protected Viewing

What's This Video About?

Here is a strategy for winning 96% of your competitive Guess Who games. Now all you need is a time machine to return to 1991 and CRUSH Jeff Lee in the 5th grade Guess Who Championships. MUSIC- 0:21- Mad Professor- Danijel Zambo- https://soundcloud.com/danijel-zambo 1:06- Dance- Danijel Zambo- https://soundcloud.com/danijel-zambo 2:10- Spark- Maxwell Young- https://soundcloud.com/maxwell_young 4:15- Devil in Disguise- Danijel Zambo- https://soundcloud.com/danijel-zambo 6:30- Marty Gots a Plan- Kevin MacLeod, http://www.incompetech.com 10:32- Who Said- j.ournal - you should go sub his video poem channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDNyMHEr5Wybaz5PiYu5NtA 12:40- Special song written just fo my bad self- Lincoln Hoppe, http://lincolnhoppe.com/ MORE DETAILS: Smart Chad's channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCw-JRHB1QU How to create a bell curve for a set of numbers: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/probability/statistics-inferential/normal_distribution/v/introduction-to-the-normal-distribution How I got 96% from 80% when you play first to 5 wins: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/probability/probability-and-combinatorics-topic/probability_combinatorics/v/probability-and-combinations-part-2 Here is the program Smart Chad wrote to emulate Guess Who games: https://github.com/chadgra/GuessWho Here is how Mr. Malloy knew 625 games: http://www.surveysystem.com/sample-size-formula.htm PLEASE CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING: http://tinyurl.com/MarkRober-Sub ****************************************­ I make videos like this once a month all year long while supplies last: CHECK OUT MY CHANNEL: http://tinyurl.com/MarkRober-YouTube FACEBOOK ME: https://www.facebook.com/MarkRoberYouTube FOLLOW ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/#!/MarkRober

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this video appropriate for elementary school kids?

Yes, this video is excellent for kids ages 8 and up, especially those interested in math, games, or strategy. While some statistical concepts are advanced, the presenter explains them clearly using visual aids and relatable examples. Younger children may not grasp all the math but can still enjoy the game strategy aspects.

Does this video teach kids to cheat at board games?

No, the strategy presented is completely within the rules of Guess Who. The video teaches critical thinking and mathematical optimization, showing kids how to use logic and probability to improve their gameplay legally. It's actually a great lesson in strategic thinking rather than rule-breaking.

What educational value does this video provide?

This video teaches probability theory, statistics (bell curves, standard deviation), strategic thinking, and the law of large numbers. It also models positive values like respecting teachers, pursuing intellectual curiosity, and applying classroom learning to real-world situations. It's an excellent example of making math engaging and practical.

Are there any concerning references in this video?

There's one brief mention of 'casual racism' when discussing the game's 1980s design and limited character diversity, but it's handled critically and maturely. There's also a humorous reference to 'destroying the underground Guess Who gambling market,' which is clearly a joke. Otherwise, the content is wholesome and educational.

Will this video make my child better at math?

This video can spark interest in probability and statistics by showing how math applies to everyday games. It demonstrates that math isn't just abstract formulas but a tool for solving real problems. While it won't replace formal math instruction, it can motivate kids to engage more deeply with mathematical thinking.

Is the video too long or boring for kids?

At approximately 15-20 minutes, the video maintains good pacing with humor, visual demonstrations, and a personal story about visiting a former teacher. Kids interested in games, puzzles, or math will likely stay engaged. The presenter's enthusiasm and clear explanations help maintain interest throughout.

What age is "BEST Guess Who Strategy- 96% WIN record using MATH" appropriate for?

Watchly's safety review recommends "BEST Guess Who Strategy- 96% WIN record using MATH" for ages 8 and up. See the content breakdown above for the category-by-category findings behind this recommendation.

More from Mark Rober

See all →
My $60,000,000 Experiment0:59
My $60,000,000 Experiment
841K views·May 29, 2026
Minor flags
How To Keep a Skyscraper From Falling Over0:41
How To Keep a Skyscraper From Falling Over
8.3M views·May 28, 2026
Safe
Tennis Ball Cannon vs Human Strength0:30
Tennis Ball Cannon vs Human Strength
19.5M views·May 14, 2026
Major issues
You’re Breathing Dinosaur Breath!0:38
You’re Breathing Dinosaur Breath!
6.5M views·Apr 30, 2026
Safe

What Watchly checks every video for

Every video is checked against Watchly's 21 content patterns. Here are a few of them.

© 2026 Watchly. All rights reserved.
Not affiliated with YouTube or Google. All creator content remains property of original creators.