What is a Client Seed?
A Client Seed is a random string created and controlled by the player that serves as one half of the provably fair randomness equation. In provably fair gambling, the client seed combines with the casino’s server seed and a nonce to cryptographically generate game outcomes. The client seed ensures the player has a contribution to the randomness process and can verify the outcome was not predetermined solely by the casino. Players can generate their own client seed (using any random method) or accept one generated by the casino at the start of a gambling session. The critical property is that the client seed is revealed before or during the bet, while the server seed remains secret until after the outcome is determined, creating a system where neither party can unilaterally control results.
How Client Seeds Work
The client seed operates as the player’s stake in the randomness verification process. When a player initiates a bet, they either provide a custom client seed or use one generated by the casino. This seed is immediately visible to both the player and casino. The casino then combines the client seed with its secret server seed and a nonce, hashes them together using a cryptographic algorithm (typically SHA-256), and produces a deterministic outcome. The outcome is completely determined by the combination of all three inputs; changing any single component produces a different result.
After the bet resolves, the casino reveals the server seed. The player can now independently reproduce the exact calculation: they hash their client seed, the revealed server seed, and the nonce using the same algorithm and verify that the computed result matches the displayed outcome. If the results match, fairness is proven; if they diverge, the casino cheated. Players can also change their client seed between bets or before each session, ensuring that even if a casino somehow predicted patterns, the new client seed prevents exploitation.
Client Seeds in Gambling
Client seeds are essential to the provably fair model in crypto gambling. They democratize fairness verification by giving players a direct role in the randomness generation. A player cannot claim the casino cheated unless they can prove the casino’s revealed server seed does not produce the correct outcome when hashed with the player’s client seed—an impossible claim if the player actually change
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of a client seed in provably fair gambling?
A: The client seed is the player's contribution to randomness generation. It ensures the player has a stake in the fairness process and can verify outcomes were not predetermined by the casino alone.
Q: How does the client seed prevent the casino from predetermining outcomes?
A: The casino cannot predict the game outcome until the client seed is revealed because the outcome depends on a combination of the server seed, client seed, and nonce. The casino cannot manipulate results before knowing the player's seed.
Q: Can a player generate their own client seed, or must it be provided by the casino?
A: Players can generate their own client seed using any random method, or accept one generated by the casino. The critical requirement is that the seed is random and unknown to the casino before the bet is placed.
Q: How does a player verify fairness using their client seed?
A: After the bet resolves and the casino reveals the server seed, the player hashes their client seed with the server seed and nonce using the same algorithm. If the result matches the outcome, fairness is proven.
Q: What happens if a player uses the same client seed for multiple bets?
A: Using the same client seed for multiple bets is permitted but reduces variety. Players can change their client seed between bets or sessions to ensure that even if patterns were somehow predicted, the new seed prevents exploitation.
Q: How do client seeds ensure mutual accountability in crypto gambling?
A: The player controls the client seed, the casino controls the server seed, and both are required for outcome generation. Neither party can unilaterally determine results, creating accountability—the player controls one half of the randomness equation.