Guide

Bottleneck Assignment: Practical Questions

The official website of 8385. Answers about scoring, modes, stakes, wallet, restoration and reload.

Board scoring

Each round draws nine independent numbers from 0 to 3 into a 3×3 matrix. There are six ways to choose one entry from every row and column. The score is the largest of the six minimum values: take the smallest entry in each selection, then choose the largest of those results.

Mode multiplier

Modes 1, 2 and 3 raise the score to the selected power. The gross multiplier is 0.96 × score to that power ÷ the exact mean for that mode. All three modes therefore have 96% expected gross return. This is neither a win probability nor a promise for your session.

Stake and controls

Choose a stake of 10, 20, 50 or 100 coins and mode 1, 2 or 3. Draw one board starts a single complete round. There is no automatic queue, stop button or early cash-out. Changing mode applies to the next round and does not alter a stake already deducted.

Balance and fractions

On a first visit without a saved balance, the wallet starts at 1,000 virtual coins. Whole-coin balance and fractional carry are saved separately in localStorage. Settlement adds the previous carry to the gross award, pays the whole part and retains the remainder. A saved zero balance stays zero on reload.

Restoration and unfinished rounds

While idle with fewer than 10 coins, Restore balance sets the wallet to exactly 1,000. It does not add 1,000 to the existing balance and is not automatic. Fractional carry remains saved. During a board, stake, mode and restoration are locked; sound remains available. The whole stake is deducted before the board is revealed. Reloading or closing the page during a round does not refund the stake or resume the board. The debited balance and earlier fractional carry remain saved; the unfinished result is not paid.

Data and measurements

The game uses localStorage for balance and fractional carry. The site also declares Google Fonts and the Statinside44 counter. Those requests may leave the device. This demo has no login or payments; that does not establish anonymity or a complete collection or retention policy. Three saved simulations contain 1,000,000 rounds each. Measured gross returns were 95.99% in mode 1, 95.98% in mode 2 and 95.87% in mode 3. These are sample observations; each mode has 96.00% expected return. A multiplier shows gross coins returned, rather than net profit.

Frequently asked questions

How is the score calculated?

Each round draws nine independent numbers from 0 to 3 into a 3×3 matrix. There are six ways to choose one entry from every row and column. The score is the largest of the six minimum values: take the smallest entry in each selection, then choose the largest of those results.

What changes between modes?

Modes 1, 2 and 3 raise the score to the selected power. The gross multiplier is 0.96 × score to that power ÷ the exact mean for that mode. All three modes therefore have 96% expected gross return. This is neither a win probability nor a promise for your session.

When is the stake deducted?

Before the board is revealed. The selected whole stake is deducted once per round.

Can I stop or cash out mid-round?

No. There is no early stop or cash-out; a round must complete its board to receive a result.

Which stakes are available?

10, 20, 50 or 100 virtual coins. The default stake is 20.

Which controls are locked?

Stake, mode, starting another board and restoration are locked during the reveal. Sound remains available.

How do fractions work?

On a first visit without a saved balance, the wallet starts at 1,000 virtual coins. Whole-coin balance and fractional carry are saved separately in localStorage. Settlement adds the previous carry to the gross award, pays the whole part and retains the remainder. A saved zero balance stays zero on reload.

When can I restore the wallet?

While idle with fewer than 10 coins, Restore balance sets the wallet to exactly 1,000. It does not add 1,000 to the existing balance and is not automatic. Fractional carry remains saved. During a board, stake, mode and restoration are locked; sound remains available.

What happens if I reload?

The whole stake is deducted before the board is revealed. Reloading or closing the page during a round does not refund the stake or resume the board. The debited balance and earlier fractional carry remain saved; the unfinished result is not paid.

Does 96% return guarantee my result?

No. It is a mathematical average across all possible boards. Saved samples measured 95.99%, 95.98% and 95.87% in modes 1, 2 and 3.

Do I need an account or APK?

No. This demo runs in the browser without login. No app or APK is supplied or verified for this guide.

Do the coins have cash value?

No. They are fictitious coins for this demo; there are no deposits, withdrawals or cash conversion.