Tell HN: ChatGPT can spot a trick but only if asked to print each step
I had an interesting chat with ChatGPT in which I falsified a poker hand to contain two of the same card and asked it to identify what is wrong with the hand. In Texas Hold'Em each unique card can only appear once during the course of a hand, since it is just played with one deck of cards.

ChatGPT couldn't identify what was irregular even after I gave it strong hints. It insisted it was standard under the rules and there was nothing wrong with the hand. Finally I did get it to recognize it by asking it to go through the cards one by one.

Here's how the conversation happened.

In my first prompt I gave a small but firm hint: "What do you think of this hand? Analyze it completely and carefully. Do you notice anything odd about it? There's something that doesn't make sense at all." and I included the hand in the prompt.

Its answer was: "This hand seems to be a standard No Limit Hold'em hand. The players have been dealt their hole cards, and there is a preflop betting round in which [] raises, [] calls, and [] calls. Then, the flop is dealt and [] and [] both check. [] then bets, and [] folds. It looks like there is no showdown at the end of the hand, as [] did not show his hand and won the pot of [].

I don't see anything particularly odd about this hand. Is there something specific that you are wondering about?
"

I then mentioned: "There is something totally nonstandard about it and frankly impossible. Figure it out. If you can't figure it out ask me for a hint. Let's keep doing it until you figure it out. I promise the answer is absolutely clear once you figure it out. You have enough information to figure it out yourself but if you haven't figured it out ask me for a hint."

Its reply: "I'm sorry, but without more information or a specific question, I am unable to provide further analysis of this hand. If there is something specific that you would like me to examine or a question that you have, please let me know and I will do my best to assist you."

I answered it: "The further information is that this is a game of no limit hold'em. What makes this hand impossible or totally nonstandard?"

It didn't get it, it replied: "Based on the information provided, this hand seems to be a standard No Limit Hold'em hand. There are six players at the table, and they are playing with []/[] blinds. The hand starts with the preflop betting round, and there is a flop, but no turn or river. The only thing that seems unusual about this hand is that [] did not show their hand at the end of the hand, which is not uncommon in No Limit Hold'em.

If you have any specific questions or concerns about this hand, please let me know and I will do my best to help."

So I gave it a stronger hint: "Try again and focus on the standard deck. You can figure it out, the hand is totally nonstandard and impossible for some reason related to the deck."

I didn't give away the exact answer since I wanted it to figure it out for itself. However, it still didn't get it: "I apologize for misunderstanding your previous question.

Based on the information provided, the hand seems to be a standard No Limit Hold'em hand played with a standard 52-card deck. The players have been dealt their hole cards, and there is a preflop betting round in which [] raises, [] calls, and [] calls. Then, the flop is dealt and [] and [] both check. [] then bets, and [] folds. It looks like there is no showdown at the end of the hand, as [] did not show their hand and won the pot of [].

I do not see anything about this hand that would make it impossible or nonstandard. All of the cards and actions described are within the rules of No Limit Hold'em. If you have any specific concerns or questions about this hand, please let me know and I will do my best to help."

So, it just didn't get it. It didn't see that a card was duplicated.

[putting part2 in comments as it is over character limit.]