Random Sweepstakes/Lotto Drawing Simulation w/Fisher-Yates Shuffle Instruction

Random Sweepstakes/Lotto Drawing Simulation w/Fisher-Yates Shuffle

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Instructions: (v1.3.14)

This browser-based application lets you simulate a prize draw system, test different prize structures, and analyze outcomes in real-time. Follow these instructions to get started and make the most of its features.

Step 1: Understand the Interface

  • Input Controls: Four boxes in a row to set up your simulation:
    • Cost to Play ($): How much each entry costs (dropdown: $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1000, $5000; starts at $100).
    • Grail Value ($): Value of the grand prize (number field, default = $3000).
    • Chaser Value ($): Value of secondary prizes (number field, default = $300, can be set to $0 to exclude Chasers).
    • LineUp Avg Value (%): Average value of base prizes as a percentage of Cost to Play (dropdown: 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%; default = 80%).
  • Buttons: Four options below the inputs:
    • "Run Simulation": Starts the draw process.
    • "Stop Simulation": Pauses the current run.
    • "Reset": Clears everything to start fresh.
    • "Export to CSV": Downloads results as a spreadsheet file.
  • Card Summary: Shows the current number of Grail, Chaser, and LineUp cards with their odds, updating as draws happen.
  • Results Table: Displays all simulation details, including inputs and outcomes, updating live.
  • Version: Bottom text showing current version

Step 3: Set Up Your Simulation

1.    Adjust Inputs: Before running, tweak the values:

o   Cost to Play: Click the dropdown to choose how much each participant pays per draw. Higher costs mean more revenue per entry.

o   Grail Value: Type a number (e.g., 5000) for the grand prize. This is the big payout that stops the simulation when drawn.

o   Chaser Value: Type a number (e.g., 0 or 200) for secondary prizes. Set to $0 to exclude Chasers, shifting odds to base prizes.

o   LineUp Avg Value: Choose a percentage (e.g., 70%) for the average value of base prizes (e.g., $70 if Cost is $100). Lower % means more profit, higher % favors players.

2.    Review Defaults: If unchanged, it starts with $100 Cost, $3000 Grail, $300 Chaser, 80% LineUp Avg.

Step 4: Run the Simulation

1.    Start: Click "Run Simulation." The tool begins drawing virtual cards every 20 milliseconds (50 draws per second).

2.    Watch Live Updates:

o   Card Summary: Shows counts and odds (e.g., "Grail x 1 @ 0.05%, Chasers x 4 @ 0.5%, LineUps x 50 @ 99.45%"). Updates after each draw as cards are replaced and reshuffled.

o   Results Table: Tracks everything:

§  Static Info: Cost to Play (e.g., $100.00), Grail Value (e.g., $3,000.00), Chaser Value (e.g., $300.00), LineUp Avg % (e.g., 80%), odds for each prize type.

§  Dynamic Stats: Total players (entries), total spent, winners above/below cost, highest/lowest prize values, Chasers won, Grail entry number, profit/loss—all with commas in dollar amounts (e.g., $266,400.00).

3.    End: The simulation stops automatically when the Grail is drawn (0.05% chance per draw, average ~2000 draws).

Step 5: Control the Simulation

  • Pause: Click "Stop Simulation" to halt the process mid-run. Results update with current data, useful for partial analysis.
  • Reset: Click "Reset" to clear all data and return to the starting state. Use this to start a new simulation with different inputs.
  • Export: Click "Export to CSV" to download a file (e.g., sweepstakes_results.csv). Open it in a spreadsheet program (like Excel) to see:
    • Entries: Each draw’s details (Entry #, Cost, Card Type, Value, Profit/Loss) with commas (e.g., $3,000.00).
    • Results Table: Full summary matching the on-screen table, including static inputs and final stats, also with commas.

Step 6: Interpret the Results

  • Card Summary: Check remaining cards and odds to see the pool’s state at any point.
  • Table Metrics:
    • Cost to Play, Grail Value, Chaser Value, LineUp Avg %: Confirm your setup.
    • Odds: Verify Grail (0.05%), Chaser (0.5% or 0%), LineUp (99.45% or 99.95%) match the design.
    • Total Players Paid to Play: Number of draws (entries) until Grail.
    • Total Spent by Players: Revenue (Players * Cost).
    • Players with Card > Cost to Play: Winners getting more than they paid (Grail, Chasers, high LineUps).
    • Players with Card < Cost to Play: Winners getting less (low LineUps).
    • Highest/Lowest Card Value Won: Range of prizes drawn.
    • Number of Chasers Won: Count of secondary prizes.
    • When Grail Was Won: Entry number of the grand prize draw.
    • Company Profit/Loss: Revenue minus total payouts, showing financial outcome.
  • CSV: Use for detailed analysis or auditing, matching table data with draw-by-draw records.

This tool helps you design prize structures, predict outcomes, and verify results with ease.