Gambling

Many games of chance are played throughout the Known World - here are rules for some of them.

Duck Races

More for fun than a true sport, duck races are most common during festivals or charity events.  Most duck races have eight ducks, usually of varying species and coloration, with a numbered ribbon around their neck to mark the participants.  When the gate is opened, the ducks waddle around within a fenced in oval, eager to be the first to get to the cookies, fruit, or whatever treat is placed at the end of the track.  Those who bet on the winning duck are paid out at 6:1.  Some events allow betting until the halfway point of the race, at 1:1.  To simulate the race:

1. Roll a d6 for each duck, allowing the players to see the results.
2. Roll another round of dice for each duck, adding to the first roll.
3. Repeat for as many rounds as you like, allowing reduced-odds bets until the halfway point.  It is recommended that races consist of six rounds or fewer.
4. The duck with the highest sum of their dice is the winner.

High/Low Dice

Players roll three dice and bet on if their sum will be higher or lower than the sum of the House dice.  Players will have the option to pull back up to two of their antes, reducing possible losses/wins.  Wins pay out 50% of remaining antes, so antes must be evenly divisible into coins (i.e. no bets with an odd amount of copper coins).

1. Each player makes three antes in equal amounts.
2. Each players rolls three dice and then chooses "high" or "low" - they are now locked into this selection.  A marker matching their choice is given to them by the House.
3. The House rolls one die - each player now has an option to pull back one ante.
4. The House rolls a second die - each player again has the option to pull back one ante.
5. The House rolls their final die - players whose high/low bet was correct win, the House wins ties, all losses and markers are raked.

King's Sum

Players are dealt rounds of cards (one card per round) from a deck of 80 cards.  The deck has four suits, with each suit having 20 cards (one each numbered 1 through 20).  Players win by hitting exactly 20 or if the House "busts" by going over 20.  Each round a player may take a card or "hold" and no longer receive cards.  Payouts are 1:1

1. Players and the House are each dealt one card.  If a player is dealt a 20, they win immediately and are removed from the hand.
2. Starting from left of the House, each player has the option to "hit" for a card, and the option to hit again in future rounds, or "hold" and no longer receive any cards for the rest of the hand.  If a player's sum exceeds 20, they bust and lose the hand.  If a player hits 20 exactly, they win immediately and are removed from the hand.
3. After each player has gone, the House must hit unless they have 20 exactly.
4. Play ends if the dealer "busts" by going over 20, or if all players have called "hold" and the dealer has a higher sum than any of them.  Otherwise, play continues by repeating from step 2.