Eric Harshbarger unveils 60-sided dice after 15 years of research

Mathematicians have created a set of five 60-sided dice that guarantee a fair chance for players to roll the highest number in any group size. This achievement comes after 15 years of research, led by Eric Harshbarger, a mathematician from Auburn University, who first tackled the problem during a gaming convention in 2010. The dice, which collectively feature every number from 1 to 300 without repetition, are now on display in Auburn's new mathematics building.

The quest for these "go first dice" began when board game designer James Ernest posed a question to Harshbarger: How could players ensure a fair roll regardless of how many are participating? While avoiding ties seemed straightforward by using unique numbers, the real challenge lay in distributing those numbers so that fairness was maintained for any subset of players. This meant that whether there were two players or eight, each could roll a die and have an equal shot at going first.

Initially, Harshbarger and his collaborators found partial solutions. They developed a fair arrangement for three players using standard six-sided dice and later created a set for four players with 12-sided dice. As interest grew, Harshbarger began selling handmade sets, etching and inking the numbers himself. He quickly garnered attention, shipping dozens of sets worldwide and sharing his findings at math conferences.

Ultimately, the breakthrough came with the design of the 60-sided dice. The team discovered that the configurations not only ensured fairness for going first but also offered additional statistical properties that had not been previously recognized. This innovative approach to dice design not only enhances the gaming experience but also showcases the intersection of mathematics and recreational activities, emphasizing the importance of fairness in gameplay.