In 2012, mathematician Eric Harshbarger was approached by a board game designer at a gaming convention to create unique dice that could determine the starting player without the chance of a tie. The objective was to expedite the game’s commencement and allow players to begin playing swiftly.
Harshbarger, a mathematician and senior lecturer at Auburn University, found the challenge intriguing as it lacked a straightforward solution, which appealed to his mathematical expertise. After years of collaboration with computer scientists and mathematicians worldwide, Harshbarger and his team successfully developed a set of dice, known as Go First Dice for five players, that ensured a fair decision on the starting player with a guaranteed winner from a single roll.
The process involved experimenting with various dice configurations until a practical solution was discovered. Initially, a set of four 12-sided dice was devised for two, three, or four players, ensuring a statistically fair outcome. However, creating dice for five players presented a more complex problem due to the need for a practical physical design.
After extensive research and collaboration, a breakthrough was achieved when a Canadian software engineer, Paul Meyer, proposed a solution using five 60-sided dice. Meyer’s approach involved leveraging mathematical patterns and conducting a comprehensive computer search to identify the optimal design among numerous possibilities.
While the Go First Dice are now available for purchase, some researchers have questioned their practical application. Harshbarger asserts that the dice adhere to rigorous mathematical principles, emphasizing that any discrepancies in outcomes would stem from manufacturing imperfections rather than mathematical flaws.
The research continues as Harshbarger and his team explore the possibility of using fewer sides for a five-player set, with 30 sides identified as the minimum requirement. They also aim to expand the concept to accommodate six players, acknowledging that current tools may not be sufficient to address these challenges. Despite the uncertainties, Harshbarger remains fascinated by the problem’s complexity and the potential for unexpected breakthroughs in the future.