In a casual chat during a gaming convention in 2012, a board game designer challenged mathematician Eric Harshbarger to devise dice that could determine the starting player without the risk of a tie. The aim was to expedite the game’s commencement and allow participants to dive into gameplay swiftly.
Harshbarger, a mathematician and senior lecturer at Auburn University in Alabama, found the challenge intriguing as it lacked an apparent solution, a typical allure for mathematicians. After brainstorming, he conceptualized a set of dice that would offer each player an equal opportunity to win while ensuring no ties among players.
However, translating this theoretical concept into functional dice proved to be a formidable task. Nearly 15 years later, Harshbarger and his team succeeded in creating the Go First Dice for five players. These dice guarantee a fair determination of the starting player with a definite winner from a single roll.
Over time, Harshbarger oversaw the project, collaborating with around 20 experts globally. Initially, they designed a set of four 12-sided dice that efficiently resolved the issue for two, three, or four players. Yet, devising a solution for five players posed a more complex challenge.
After exploring various theories and reducing the number of sides, a breakthrough emerged when an Australian researcher proposed a practical solution using five 120-sided dice. Subsequently, a Canadian software engineer, Paul Meyer, devised a solution with five 60-sided dice, marking a significant advancement in the project.
Although some researchers question the real-world applicability of the dice, Harshbarger affirms the mathematical integrity of the design. The ongoing research aims to explore the feasibility of using fewer sides for a five-player set, with potential expansion to accommodate six players.
Despite the unpredictability of the research journey, Harshbarger finds the mathematical puzzle captivating, emphasizing the enduring appeal of challenging questions in the realm of mathematics.