Hello Reader,
We talk a lot about strategy in Model UN — but strategy can mean very different things depending on how you play the game.
This week, we’re exploring a question with real impact on how you approach committee: Should you think like a chess player… or a poker player?
Both mindsets have something to offer, and understanding the difference can help you shift gears when it matters most.
Let’s take a look at what each mindset can look like in action.
♟️ Thinking Like a Chess Player: Logic, Planning, and Predictability
Chess is about perfect information. Every piece is visible. Every move follows fixed rules. There’s no bluffing, no hidden motives — just the pure logic of cause and effect.
When you think like a chess player in MUN, you would focus on things like:
- Pre-session prep: You've thought of your country’s policies, voting history, and likely allies before you walk into the room.
- Formal debate strategy: You've considered each speech as a calculated move, trying to hit certain key points each time.
- Procedural mastery: You use the rules to your advantage — motioning strategically, correcting procedure, and voting for extensions when it's convenient.
🔍 Strengths:
Basically, the chess player is:
- Highly prepared
- Systems-focused — great at clause drafting and bloc organization
- Rarely caught off guard
🃏 Thinking Like a Poker Player: Bluffing, Reading People, and Managing Uncertainty
Poker, on the other hand is a game of imperfect information. You don’t know what cards your opponents hold. You play the odds, read behavior, manage your image, and sometimes, take risks based on intuition and incomplete knowledge.
When you think like a poker player in MUN, you’re focused on:
- Perception: How are you being viewed? As a leader? A mediator? A wildcard?
- Flexibility: You pivot quickly when committee dynamics shift, and you’re never locked into one alliance or approach.
- Emotional intelligence: You pick up on subtle signals — a hesitant delegate might be open to switching blocs, or someone arguing forcefully may be covering for a weak policy.
🔍 Strengths:
The Poker player is:
- Adaptable and intuitive - can be the first to react during a resolution merge.
- Strong negotiator and alliance-builder
🤝 The Best Delegates Use Both
Predictably, we think that the best delegate is a little bit of both: Diplomacy isn’t just logic or psychology — it’s both. In our opinion, The most effective delegates start with chess, but switch to poker when the board gets messy.
They know when to hold firm and when to float flexible language. When to lead, and when to let others feel like they’re leading.
💡 Final Thought:
Model UN isn’t always about being the smartest or loudest — it’s about being the most adaptable. Change with the times and you'll come out on top.
Until next MUNday,
