Gambling in a fantasy world with divination magic

[KidSnide]

In my current campaign, I've hinted to the players that the secret cabal of clever cultists are funding themselves in no small part by gambling on what is essentially the world's nascent commodity markets using divination to predict which commodities will be scarce later and in what locations and therefore in high demand.

That's very entertaining. In my campaign (which has a more 18th century social structure), most of the greatest diviners in the world work for the commodities traders.

-KS

 

[Pentius]

I think you'd also see a split in gamblers between those who like to get divinations and those who hold it to be unsportsmanlike. In any case, I have to imagine there'd be a lot of fake diviners hanging around near casinos.

All the stuff about prestidigitation and telekinesis and counterspells makes me wonder whether card counting might not be a better way to cheat there, seeing as it's low profile.

 

[Starfox]

With divination, gambling would take on different aspects. Predicting the future is now a competitive sport - different diviners and their predictions having different supporters. In cases where divinations agree, gambling is not possible. Where it disagrees, is unavailable, or is otherwise uncertain, it is possible.

Of course, if divination was free and 100% reliable, there would be no gambling. But neither would there be free will - everyone knows how you will act in advance.

 

[Starfox]

See God of Gamblers 3 for creative ways to cheat using magic. Its silly but fun!

Slight spoiler warning for the link, but the plot is not the point of that movie anyway.

 

[Umbran]

I think the answer depends in part on whether there's a deity of Luck in the setting to whom those running gambling establishments could appeal...

 

[RedTonic]

There's a priesthood in my campaign who must performed divinations when asked if it's at all feasible.Their god is a god of prophecy and trickery. I predict hilarious results forthwith.

 

[Gentlegamer]

A true 'gambler' in a fantasy universe will make his own luck, not rely on divinations. In fact, he will find a way to make others' use of divinations work in his favor, if necessary.

Think Cugel the Clever . . .

 

[TarionzCousin]

I would think that the real casinos would employ magic to counteract divinations--like cell-phone jamming devices--to keep their gambling floors free of magic of all kinds.

Or maybe all their walls are lined with lead.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

You just gave me an idea for my Dark Sun campaign.

Lots of people there have psionic wild talents, and there's gladiator games. With betting. I hope the PCs go back to the arena...

 

[Starfox]

You just gave me an idea for my Dark Sun campaign.

Lots of people there have psionic wild talents, and there's gladiator games. With betting. I hope the PCs go back to the arena...

Some of the divinations used IMC actually change the future, modifying odds to try and make "their" future happen. This could be very fun and chaotic in a public gladiator setting.

A banana peel, in the arena? That's absurd! And a 20-lb weight dropping on your head... Where are these games going?