How to use the fortune teller ball
- Type a yes or no question in Ask a yes or no question (up to 200 characters). A sample question is filled in, and clicking the field selects it so you can type over it.
- Click the ball, press Shake the Ball, press Enter inside the question box, or press Space when nothing else has focus.
- The ball shakes for about half a second, then one answer appears in the blue triangle and in larger text under the ball, labeled as a yes-type, maybe-type or no-type answer.
- Read History below for your last 20 questions and answers. Clear empties it.
Questions that can be answered with yes or no work best, such as "Should I take the earlier train?" An open question like "What should I eat?" will get an answer that does not fit. If you need to choose between more than two options, the Spin the Wheel tool fits better.
The 20 answers and their odds
The ball uses the same 20 phrases as the classic 8-ball toy. Ten are yes-type, five are maybe-type and five are no-type:
- Yes-type (10): It is certain, It is decidedly so, Without a doubt, Yes, definitely, You may rely on it, As I see it, yes, Most likely, Outlook good, Yes, Signs point to yes.
- Maybe-type (5): Reply hazy, try again, Ask again later, Better not tell you now, Cannot predict now, Concentrate and ask again.
- No-type (5): Don't count on it, My reply is no, My sources say no, Outlook not so good, Very doubtful.
Every shake picks one answer at random, so each of the 20 has a 5% chance. That gives a 50% chance of a yes-type answer, 25% maybe-type and 25% no-type. The pick uses the crypto.getRandomValues() generator built into your browser, with rejection sampling so no answer is favored. Past shakes do not affect the next one.
Worked example
Leave the sample question "Will today be a good day?" in place and press Shake the Ball. The ball might show SIGNS POINT TO YES, with "Signs point to yes" and "Yes-type answer" under it, and History gains "Q: Will today be a good day? A: Signs point to yes." The next shake is independent, so the same question can just as easily return "Very doubtful."
Limits and edge cases
- It is entertainment only. The answer has no link to your question, so never base health, legal, money or safety choices on it.
- If you shake with an empty question box, the ball still answers and History records "(no question typed)".
- Shakes during the half second of animation are ignored, so one click gives exactly one answer.
- History lives only in the page. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere, and a refresh clears it.
Fortune teller ball FAQ
Is the fortune teller ball really random?
Yes. Each shake picks one of the 20 answers with equal probability (1 in 20) using your browser's crypto.getRandomValues() generator. The wording of your question is never used, so nothing about it can nudge the result.
Can the fortune teller ball predict the future?
No. It is a game, and the answer has no connection to what you asked. Use it for fun or as a tie-breaker, and not for medical, legal or money decisions.
What are the chances of getting a yes?
Ten of the 20 answers are yes-type, so each shake has a 50% chance of a yes-type answer, a 25% chance of a maybe-type answer (5 in 20) and a 25% chance of a no-type answer (5 in 20).
How do I get a clear yes or no with no maybe?
Use the Yes or No Generator or flip a coin with the Coin Flip tool. The ball keeps five noncommittal answers on purpose, like the classic toy.
Sources: Wikipedia, the classic 20-answer toy (answer list); MDN Web Docs, Crypto: getRandomValues().