66. Petals Around the Rose
class: puzzle | impressiveness: 4/5 | factors: hilariously, agonizingly frustrating | requires: 5 dice | watch full episode
Legend has it that Bill Gates saw this puzzle at a party, and it utterly stumped and confounded him. Other folks at the same party figured it out almost instantly, but Gates’ logical, analytic mind just couldn’t crack it. This one works best with a group of people, and be warned: it will probably occupy the next 40 minutes or more.
The Game: Grab 5 dice and the attention of your friends. Let them know that you’re a member of a secret, ancient order, known as the “Potentate of the Rose,” and that they can join only if they solve your game:
“The name of the game is ‘Petals Around the Rose’, and the name is important. That’s the first thing I can tell you. I can also tell you that the answer will always be an even number, and I can tell you the answer for any throw of the dice.”
At this point, roll the 5 dice:
“For example, for this roll, the answer is 6.”
Roll the dice again:
“In this case, the answer is two.”
“…and in this roll, the answer is zero. If you can solve the puzzle, then you become a member of the Potentate of the Rose, and are sworn to keep the secret.”
Roll again:
“The answer is 10.”
Now at this point, you’ll almost certainly start getting questions, asking “what if…?” “can I…?” or “is it such and such?”. This is the important part: You must respond to these questions only with the following:
“I can only tell you three things: The name of the game is ‘Petals Around the Rose,’ and the name is important. I can also tell you that the answer will always be an even number or zero. Finally, I can tell you the results of any throw of the dice.”
It’s the repetition of this actual phrase that is going to utterly frustrate them. They’re going to have to rely completely on their wits if they want to join the order, no compromises.
Which brings me to my challenge to you: do you want to honestly join the Potentate of the Rose, or are you going to be a faker, a liar, and a heretic? If you want to join honestly, I’m going to give you a bunch of rolls to work with. If you can figure out the extremely simple system to get the correct answers for these rolls, you’re in. If not, you’re a faker, a liar, and a cheat… like me.
That’s right, I failed at this one, and I’m a total sham. But maybe you’ll be a better person than me:
Here’s the answer… but I want you to think very hard about it before you click on this. Did you earn it? Or are you a FAKER??