Hi JRC,
Good question! There are many games that utilize rules of this nature, and the difference in how the rule displayed comes down to the following:
If every variable is used, and there is only one of each variable, then you show it as a straight block.
- For example, if you have six variables going into six consecutive spaces, a rule that states "X is offered the day before Y is offered" forces the only X and the only Y to be in a block (represented as XY). You could show this conditionally (since it will work the same) but you don't need to since no matter where X or Y goes, the other will come along as well.
If not every variable is used, or if there are multiples of the variables, then you show it as conditional.
- In these cases, the uncertainty of whether a variable will be used (or which one will be used) requires you to show the relationship with the initiating variable. For example, if you have ten variables but only six are placed into six consecutive spaces, a rule that states "if X is offered, then Y is offered the following day" is only triggered when X is part of the selected group (leading to a diagram of X
XY).
The primary differentiator above is uncertainty. If a certain variable doesn't necessarily have to appear, then rules that depend on that variable will be shown conditionally.
Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!
