TrueScore

TrueScore sums up how a system's 100,000 bots did in one number, out of 1000. Higher is better. Every variant gets its own.

It combines all nine TrueScore measures plus win rate, weighted equally. Every game is scored the same way, so systems compare on one scale.

Each measure earns a rating from 1 to 5. A 5 on every one scores 1000.

Returns

House Edge

What share of total wagers does the casino keep?

• 5 Minimal. The best odds in the casino.
• 4 Low. Better than most casino games.
• 3 Moderate. Average casino advantage.
• 2 Elevated. Higher cost of play.
• 1 Substantial. Expensive entertainment.

Profit Retention

How often did the bots stay ahead after getting there?

• 5 Excellent. Profits stick.
• 4 Good. Usually keeps winnings.
• 3 Average. Keeps gains just under half the time.
• 2 Below Average. Often gives back.
• 1 Poor. Profits evaporate.

Jackpot Factor

How many losing sessions do the best sessions cover?

• 5 Explosive. Covers 8+ losing sessions.
• 4 High. Covers 5-8 losing sessions.
• 3 Moderate. Covers 3-5 losing sessions.
• 2 Limited. Covers a few losing sessions.
• 1 Capped. Barely covers one losing session.

Experience

Betting Power

How much total action did the bots get from their outlay?

• 5 Marathon. Maximum time at the table.
• 4 Extended. Long sessions that rack up comps.
• 3 Moderate. Decent playtime.
• 2 Limited. Short sessions.
• 1 Minimal. Money vanishes quickly.

Round Win Rate

What share of rounds ended with a profit? A round is a shooter's turn in craps, a spin in roulette, a hand in baccarat.

• 5 Strong. More rounds won than lost.
• 4 Solid. Close to a coin flip.
• 3 Moderate. Most rounds lost, but plenty won.
• 2 Sparse. Most rounds lost.
• 1 Rare. Winning rounds are rare.

Betting Complexity

How demanding is it to play at the table?

• 5 Simple. One bet type, flat betting.
• 4 Easy. A few bet types or levels.
• 3 Moderate. Several bets or progression.
• 2 Complex. Many bets or levels.
• 1 Expert. Extensive variety.

Risk

Crash Factor

How many typical wins does a worst-case loss wipe out?

• 5 Protected. Worst case close to typical win.
• 4 Manageable. Worst case is a few typical wins.
• 3 Moderate. Worst case is 5-15 typical wins.
• 2 Risky. Worst case is 15-40 typical wins.
• 1 Dangerous. Worst case wipes out dozens of wins.

Volatility

How much did bankrolls swing relative to bet size?

• 5 Smooth. Very steady, predictable outcomes.
• 4 Mild. Some ups and downs.
• 3 Moderate. Typical casino swings.
• 2 Wild. Big swings that test bankrolls.
• 1 Extreme. Huge swings that require large bankrolls.

Replay Grind

How well did the win rate hold up after 20 casino visits?

• 5 Extended. Win rate held steady or improved.
• 4 Gradual. Kept most of the original win rate.
• 3 Moderate. Kept about half the original win rate.
• 2 Steep. Most of the win rate eroded.
• 1 Cliff. Nearly all the win rate eroded.

Win Rate

What share of bots ended with a profit?

• 5 Strong. More bots won than lost.
• 4 Solid. Close to a coin flip.
• 3 Moderate. Most bots lost, but plenty won.
• 2 Sparse. Most bots lost.
• 1 Rare. Winners are rare.

Personas

A persona rating says how well a system suits one kind of player.

• Paycheck Players chase the frequent small wins and accept that this means the occasional larger loss. They focus on win rate and house edge.
• Comp Grinders are looking for effective time at the table while risking as little as possible. They focus on betting power and house edge.
• Table Tourists want a simple, exciting session with a real chance to win big. They look at a mix: betting complexity, jackpot factor, crash factor, house edge, win rate and volatility.
• Jackpot Hunters chase the huge win and accept frequent losses on the way to it. They focus on jackpot factor and crash factor.

Each is rated 1 to 5: Poor fit, Weak fit, Fair fit, Good fit, Great fit.

FAQ

How do I use the TrueScore ratings?

Start with the persona that plays like you and look for a Good fit or a Great fit. Then read the measures you care about most: each rating answers one question about how the bots did. Use the TrueScore itself for a quick overall comparison between systems.

Is the highest TrueScore the best system?

"Best" depends on who it's for. TrueScore counts every measure equally. A persona rating follows the measures that player focuses on, so for a Comp Grinder a Great fit says more than a high TrueScore.

Should I avoid low rated systems?

Some interesting systems have a low rating. A system with Extreme volatility and a chance to win a lot of money might be exactly what you're looking for, and a system that rates high on every measure might be a boring one to play. It comes down to taste.

Am I guaranteed to win?

No, and no one can promise that. TrueScore shows how a system actually behaves. All casino games have a negative expectation.

What does a TrueScore actually rate?

It rates one experiment: one exact way of playing a system. Two Iron Cross experiments can score far apart, because the bet sizes, the table rules, the bankroll and the walk-away rules all shape the result. The bots play exactly as they are programmed, so play it another way and the score will likely change.

Why do two variants with the same ratings score a few points apart?

A rating counts how far into its level a result landed. Two variants can both rate Low on House Edge while one sits closer to Minimal, and that one scores a little higher.

Why does a measure say Not rated?

A system that wins very rarely can show Not rated on two measures: Jackpot Factor when wins are rarer than 1 in 1,000, and Crash Factor when there are too few wins to measure.