From: Frank Stuart <fstuart@vetmed.auburn.edu>
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 09:16:58 +0800
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Subject: Re: another thought about random numbers
Message-ID: <199601252156.PAA17976@snoopy.vetmed.auburn.edu>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain


>While musing over a roulette table, and noticing the preponderence of
>electronic games in the various Casinos in Stateline, NV, a thought
>occurred: does anyone know what sorts of random number generators those
>electronic games use, and how (if at all) they are measured and regulated
>by the Nevada Gaming Commission? They might have something to teach us.

I don't have a reference, I'm afraid, but I think I remember hearing about
someone using past keno numbers to predict future ones.  When they correctly
guessed all the numbers twice in a row, casino officials stopped the game and
were reluctant to pay (though, I think they eventually did).

Assuming I didn't dream the whole thing, it seems like it wasn't in Nevada...
possibly on an Indian reservation?  I think it happened 6 months to a year
ago.  I'm sorry I can't be more specific.


                          | (Douglas) Hofstadter's Law:
Frank Stuart              | It always takes longer than you expect, even 
fstuart@vetmed.auburn.edu | when you take into account Hofstadter's Law.