You'll lose this game!

This simple little game serves as a demo application for our "Simple Template Engine". We call the game 'ULose' simply because you'll lose if you don't cheat. If you do cheat, you will be disqualified. Silly, isn't it? Well, it's only a demonstration...

The Rules

In the beginning, there are 17 items on the board. Each player may take 1, 2 or 3 items away when it's his turn. You're always first, our servlet is second. The player who takes the last item away loses.

The Board

There are 17 items left.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

How many items will you take?