# 486. Predict the Winner

Given an array of scores that are non-negative integers. Player 1 picks one of the numbers from either end of the array followed by the player 2 and then player 1 and so on. Each time a player picks a number, that number will not be available for the next player. This continues until all the scores have been chosen. The player with the maximum score wins.

Given an array of scores, predict whether player 1 is the winner. You can assume each player plays to maximize his score.

Example 1:

Input: [1, 5, 2]
Output: False
Explanation: Initially, player 1 can choose between 1 and 2. 
If he chooses 2 (or 1), then player 2 can choose from 1 (or 2) and 5. If player 2 chooses 5, then player 1 will be left with 1 (or 2). 
So, final score of player 1 is 1 + 2 = 3, and player 2 is 5. 
Hence, player 1 will never be the winner and you need to return False.

Example 2:

Input: [1, 5, 233, 7]
Output: True
Explanation: Player 1 first chooses 1. Then player 2 have to choose between 5 and 7. No matter which number player 2 choose, player 1 can choose 233.
Finally, player 1 has more score (234) than player 2 (12), so you need to return True representing player1 can win.

Note:
1 <= length of the array <= 20.
Any scores in the given array are non-negative integers and will not exceed 10,000,000.
If the scores of both players are equal, then player 1 is still the winner.

# Solution

Approach 1: (memoized) minimax (recursion).

Approach 2: DP using a 2D table (can be optimized to 1D).

# Code (Python)

Approach 1:

    def PredictTheWinner(self, nums: List[int]) -> bool:
        if len(nums) % 2 == 0 or len(nums) == 1:
            return True
        # recursion
        #return self._play0(0, len(nums) - 1, nums) >= 0
        # with memoization
        return self._play(0, len(nums) - 1, nums, {}) >= 0
    
    def _play0(self, start, end, nums):
        if start == end:
            return nums[start]
        return max(
            nums[start] - self._play0(start + 1, end, nums),
            nums[end] - self._play0(start, end - 1, nums)
        )
    
    def _play(self, start, end, nums, table):
        if start == end:
            return nums[start]
        if (start, end) not in table:
            table[(start, end)] = max(
                nums[start] - self._play(start + 1, end, nums, table),
                nums[end] - self._play(start, end - 1, nums, table)
            )
        return table[(start, end)]

Approach 2:

    def PredictTheWinner(self, nums: List[int]) -> bool:
        # sum up the odd indices and the even indices,
        # you can force the opponent to choose the smaller group by taking your first item
        if len(nums) % 2 == 0 or len(nums) == 1:
            return True
        
        # total[i][j]: the difference between player 1 and 2 (the effective score)
        # transition: total[i][j] = max(nums[i] - total[i+1][j], nums[j] - total[i][j-1])
        # value depends on its south and west neighbor
        # fill in the upper right half of the table from bottom to top, need top right corner
        total = [[0] * len(nums) for _ in range(len(nums))]
        for i in range(len(nums) - 1, -1, -1):
            for j in range(i, len(nums)):
                if i == j:
                    total[i][j] = nums[i]
                else:
                    total[i][j] = max(nums[i] - total[i+1][j], nums[j] - total[i][j-1])
        
        return total[0][-1] >= 0
        # can optimize to 1D

# Code (C++)

Approach 1:

Approach 2: