Random Thoughts: Examining the Role of Randomness versus Skill

Today I want to relate some musings on the role of randomness in games. Many games – be they card games, board games, or role-playing games – include some elements of randomness. Some games contain more than others. The role that randomness plays in a game generally runs counter to the role that player skill has in the same game. For example, games like Chess or Othello contain no randomness and rely entirely on player skill. Games like Candy Land or Left Center Right are entirely random and do not rely on player skill at all. Most games fall somewhere in between these two extremes.