The Math and the Graph Behind a Popular Match Game

The article explores the mathematical and graph theory principles behind the popular card game Dobble (also known as Spot It!), which relies on finite projective planes to ensure each card has exactly one matching symbol with any other card. The game uses a specific projective plane, PG(2,7), to structure its deck, demonstrating how graphs can serve as a fair and precise judge in determining matching symbols between cards. By leveraging Neo4j and Cypher, one can construct and explore a digital version of the Dobble deck, allowing for experimentation and deeper understanding of its mathematical underpinnings. The graph model offers a transparent, reliable system for answering queries about card matches, showcasing the potential for such structures in various applications beyond gaming, including fraud detection, recommendations, and AI context graphs. The article encourages readers to engage with these concepts by experimenting with Neo4j to build their own game models, highlighting the power and versatility of graph-based approaches in both simple and complex systems.