A simple gambling simulation program is easy to write. Even a simple program is fun to play with, but a more sophisticated program is more fun.
The Internet now offers the possibility of gambling on-line, with "real money". The software for this system is quite sophisticated. There are several issues/problems involved:
Here is a list of tasks to be performed by an on-line roulette simulation:
Here is a list of useful modules to solve problems in an on-line roulette program:
Random Numbers: int number = rand(0,36) -- choose a random number between 1 and 36
Grouping Numbers: group = number / 3 -- integer division, returns a whole number result
Even or Odd : result = group % 2 -- this result is 0 for even, 1 for odd numbers
import java.awt.*;
public class Roulette extends EasyApp
{ public static void main(String[] args)
{
new Roulette();
}
Label lMoney = addLabel("Money",40,40,60,30,this);
TextField tMoney = addTextField("",100,40,100,30,this);
Button bBet = addButton("Bet",40,70,80,30,this);
Button bSpin = addButton("Spin",120,70,80,30,this);
TextField tBet = addTextField("",40,100,80,40,this);
TextField tChoice = addTextField("",40,140,80,40,this);
TextField tNumber = addTextField("",120,100,80,80,this);
int money = 1000;
int bet = 0;
int betting = 0;
String choice = "";
public void actions(Object source,String command)
{
if(source == bBet)
{ makeBet(); }
else if (source == bSpin)
{ spin(); }
}
public Roulette()
{
setTitle("Raging Roulette");
setSize(250,200);
setBackground(Color.green);
tNumber.setFont(new Font("Arial",0,50));
tNumber.setForeground(Color.white);
tNumber.setBackground(Color.green);
tBet.setFont(new Font("Arial",0,30));
tChoice.setFont(new Font("Arial",0,30));
tMoney.setFont(new Font("Arial",0,16));
tMoney.setText(money + "");
}
public void makeBet()
{
do
{
betting = inputInt("How much do you want to bet?");
} while (betting < 0 || betting > money);
bet = betting;
choice = input("Betting on : Red, Black, or a Number");
tBet.setText(betting + "");
tChoice.setText(choice);
}
public int rand(int lowest, int highest)
{
return (int)(Math.floor(Math.random()*(highest-lowest+1)+lowest));
}
public void spin()
{
long start = System.currentTimeMillis();
do
{
int num = rand(0,36);
tNumber.setText( num + "");
if (num == 0)
{ tNumber.setBackground(Color.green); }
else if ( ((num-1)/3) % 2 == 0 )
{ tNumber.setBackground(Color.red); }
else
{ tNumber.setBackground(Color.black); }
repaint();
} while (System.currentTimeMillis()-start < 3000);
money = money + checkWinner();
tMoney.setText(money + "");
}
public int checkWinner()
{
if ((tNumber.getBackground() == Color.red) && (tChoice.getText().equals("Red")))
{ return bet; }
else if ((tNumber.getBackground() == Color.black) && (tChoice.getText().equals("Black")))
{ return bet; }
else if (tNumber.getText().equals( tChoice.getText() ) )
{ return 36*bet; }
else
{ return -bet; }
}
public void pause(long millis)
{
long start = System.currentTimeMillis();
do
{
} while (System.currentTimeMillis() - start < millis) ;
}
}
The prototype Raging Roulette contains lots of ideas which are useful for other gambling simulations. Slot machines, dice, card games, and any other gambling game can be simulated in a similar fashion.
Our class project will concentrate on multi-player games rather than casino games. A multi-player game has several players, all equal, and the winnings/losses are moved from player to player. There is no "house". This is more like how real people play games with friends - for example, card games like poker.
Our project is to build several multi-player gambling games. The players will exchange V-money (virtual money), kept in a virtual bank (managed by the teacher).
Rather than implementing a standard game like roulette or poker, students will design their own gambling games. Here is an example:
Each player places a bet and chooses a number between 2 and 12. The numbers and bets remain secret from the other players. The minimum bet permitted is 50 dm. The total of all the bets forms a "pot". Two dice are then rolled. If one of the players guessed the result correctly, he/she wins the entire pot. If more than one player bet on that number, the player who bet the most money wins the entire pot - the others lose. If there is a tie, they split the pot. If nobody bet on that number, the money remains in the pot for the next game.
Example Games ( Assume there are three players - Alice, Bob, Carla )
|
Alice |
Bob |
Carla |
Pot |
Dice Roll |
Winner |
|
50 dm on #7 |
100 dm on #6 |
50 dm on #8 |
200 |
#7 |
Alice |
|
50 dm on #7 |
100 dm on #7 |
50 dm on #8 |
200 |
#7 |
Bob |
|
200 dm on #7 |
100 dm on #6 |
50 dm on #8 |
350 |
#9 |
No Winner |
|
200 dm on #7 |
150 dm on #7 |
50 dm on #8 |
400+350 |
#8 |
Carla |
Each student creates a game (specifies the rules) and writes programs to implement the on-line version. This includes a server program which generates the random results and makes payments to winners, as well as the client program which runs on the user's computer and takes bets and displays results. To prevent any cheating (secret "lucky numbers"), the program code must remain public (open source). Also, the authors cannot win any V-money playing their own games.
The teacher will implement the V-cash system. This will include virtual salaries for all students on a daily basis, as well as bonuses for outstanding programs or clever ideas. (Absent students forfeit their daily salary.)
The server programs must be designed to interface properly with the V-cash system, so that winnings can be correctly posted to student accounts. Incorrect payments may result in fines for the programmers.