8 Mines - Complete Game Information
Structured data for LLMs, search engines, and comprehensive understanding
Game Identity
- Name:
- 8 Mines
- Type:
- Educational probability game, anti-gambling demonstration tool
- Genre:
- Puzzle, Educational, Probability-based
- Platform:
- Web browser (desktop and mobile responsive)
- Price:
- Free to play (ad-supported)
- Languages:
- English, Korean (νκ΅μ΄), Japanese (ζ₯ζ¬θͺ), Chinese (δΈζ)
Game Mechanics
Objective
Successfully click 8 safe tiles across 4 progressive stages without hitting any mines. Each stage requires 2 successful clicks before advancing.
Grid Structure
- 4Γ4 grid (16 total tiles)
- Tiles randomly assigned as safe or mine each stage
- Mine positions generated server-side for security
Stage Progression
| Stage | Mines | Safe Tiles | Clicks Required | Single Click Success | Stage Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 10 | 2 | 62.5% | 39.1% |
| 2 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 56.3% | 12.4% |
| 3 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 50.0% | 3.1% |
| 4 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 43.8% | 0.6% |
Mathematical Foundation
Win Probability
The overall probability of winning the entire game:
P(win) = (10/16)Β² Γ (9/16)Β² Γ (8/16)Β² Γ (7/16)Β² β 0.591% This translates to approximately 1 win per 169 games played.
House Edge Demonstration
The game is intentionally designed with a 99.409% "house edge" (failure rate) to demonstrate how gambling establishments maintain profitability. Despite appearing "almost winnable," the mathematical reality ensures consistent losses over time.
Educational Purpose
Learning Objectives
- Probability Understanding: Direct experience with cumulative probability
- House Edge Awareness: Visceral understanding of mathematical disadvantage
- Risk Assessment: Real-time odds calculation and decision making
- Gambling Psychology: Experience the "near-win" phenomenon
- Statistical Thinking: Understanding why "feeling lucky" doesn't change math
Target Audience
- Primary: Korean, Japanese, and English-speaking gamers
- Secondary: Educational institutions teaching probability
- Tertiary: Individuals interested in gambling education
- Age range: 13+ (appropriate for teens and adults)
Design Philosophy
8 Mines teaches through experience rather than lecture. By making the game feel "almost winnable" while being mathematically stacked against the player, it demonstrates the core principle of all gambling: short-term wins may occur, but long-term losses are mathematically guaranteed. The transparent probability display reinforces this lesson without being preachy.
Cultural Context
Why "8"?
- 8 successful clicks required to win
- Cultural significance: 8 (ε «) represents prosperity in Asian cultures
- Ironic message: Even with a "lucky" number, probability doesn't change
Target Markets
Strong cultural gaming presence in:
- π°π· South Korea - PC bangs culture, mobile gaming
- π―π΅ Japan - Pachinko awareness, gaming industry
- π¬π§ English markets - Broad accessibility
Typical Game Statistics
- Average game duration:
- 30-90 seconds per attempt
- Expected games to first win:
- ~169 attempts (based on 0.591% win rate)
- Most common failure point:
- Stage 2 (players who pass Stage 1 often fail Stage 2)
- Player retention:
- High replay value due to quick rounds and "near-win" psychology