What are the probabilities of odds from luck to knowledge? What percentage does luck play in the game?
A55. Skill is predominate over luck in the game of 42. When experienced players play, the more skillful players usually prevail; however, the luck of the draw is still a factor. (See Q/A15 for the number of possible hands that can be randomly drawn from 28 dominos.) Mathematically quantifying the luck factor is too subjective to be accurate; however, I polled experienced 42 players, and the range of estimates varied from less than 1% luck to higher than 50%. Rationales and assumptions are shown in selected extracts. In his book Winning 42, Dennis Roberson has a chapter on statistical odds that addresses the probabilities of drawing various combinations of trumps, doubles, and suits. The data help determine wise bidding and strategy, and they are useful information for 42 players.
