The game 2048 is played on an NΓN grid where each cell can contain a tile whose value is a power of two. After every move, a new tile (usually 2 or 4) appears in a random empty cell, and identical adjacent tiles merge into a tile with double the value. Understanding the probability of a specific merge requires a snapshot of the board state and the combinatorial possibilities of the next random tile placement.
When the board is represented by a multiset of tile values ({t_1, t_2, dots, t_k}), the chance that a merge of value (M) occurs on the next move depends on two factors: (1) the number of adjacent pairs whose sum equals (M) after a slide, and (2) the probability distribution of the newly spawned tile (2 with 90% or 4 with 10%). By enumerating all possible slide directions, we can compute the expected merge probability for the target tile.
The following formula captures the expected probability (P_{merge}(M)) for a given board configuration:
How do I use this calculator to find the merge probability?
What does the multiset of tile values represent?
Can this calculator predict future moves in 2048?
What is the significance of the NΓN grid in 2048?
How does a tile merge work in 2048?
What is the role of random tile placement in 2048?
Can this calculator help me win at 2048?
Results are for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional advice.
