draw_straws.py

import random

NUMBER_OF_PLAYERS = 5
NUMBER_OF_ITERATIONS = 1000000

def main():
	if NUMBER_OF_PLAYERS < 2:
		raise ValueError("Must have at least 2 people.")

	if NUMBER_OF_ITERATIONS < 1:
		raise ValueError("Must have at least 1 iteration.")

	# Initialize the dictionary of players and losses
	losses = []
	for player in range(0, NUMBER_OF_PLAYERS):
		losses.append(0)

	# Begin iteration of drawing straws
	for iteration in range(0, NUMBER_OF_ITERATIONS):
		# Initialize the dictionary of straws
		straws = []
		straws.append(1)
		for straw in range(1, NUMBER_OF_PLAYERS):
			straws.append(0)

		# Randomize the straws and have each player draw one
		random.shuffle(straws)
		for player in range(0, NUMBER_OF_PLAYERS):
			straw = straws.pop()
			# If they picked the shortest straw, move to the next round
			if straw:
				losses[player] += 1
				break

	# Print results
	for player in range(0, NUMBER_OF_PLAYERS):
		print "Player %i lost %i times out of %i rounds (%.2f%%)." % (player + 1, losses[player], NUMBER_OF_ITERATIONS, (float(losses[player]) / float(NUMBER_OF_ITERATIONS)) * 100)

if __name__ == "__main__":
	main()