A normal play convention in a game is the method of determining the winner that is generally regarded as standard. For example:
- Preventing the other player from being able to move
- Being the first player to achieve a target
- Holding the highest value hand
- Taking the most card tricks
In combinatorial game theory, the normal play convention of an impartial game is that the last player able to move is the winner. 1
By contrast "misère games" involve upsetting the convention and declaring a winner the individual who would normally be considered the loser.