Pick the last Coin

Materials:
5 pennies
4 Nickels
3 Dimes

Setup:
Arrange the coins as shown in the picture.

The Trick :
Tell your friend that you are going to have a little contest of wits. The rules of the game are as follows:

• Players take alternate turns
• A player on his turn may remove as many coins as he wishes provided that he pick a coin from only one denomination on any one turn.
• You can remove as many coins as you wish in any one line, one coin or more
• The aim of the contest is to see who will have to remove the last coin
• Unless your opponent removes two dimes from the lower row, you will win every time

How it works :

• The sure way to win is to go first and take the two dimes from the lower row. You will win no matter what your opponent does.
• If your opponent takes 1 coin, you take 2 coins. You will leave him with the last coin.
• If your opponent takes 2 coins, you take 1 coin.
• If your opponent takes 3 coins, you pick up the 3 remaining coins.