---
key: lens/schell-036
type: lens
id: schell-036
lang: en
title: Chance
summary: Examine the role of uncertainty and how probabilities are understood.
updatedAt: '2026-10-10'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/lens/schell-036/'
jsonUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/lens/schell-036.json'
markdownUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/lens/schell-036.md'
aliases:
  - Chance
  - '36'
tags:
  - Rules and systems
sourceIds:
  - source-a5287443699910bb
  - source-f546a7168effffbb
sources:
  - id: source-a5287443699910bb
    title: 'Schell: 113 second-edition lenses'
    url: 'https://schellgames.com/art-of-game-design'
    verifiedAt: null
  - id: source-f546a7168effffbb
    title: Chance
    url: 'https://deck.artofgamedesign.com/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations:
  - type: reviews
    direction: incoming
    label: Apply this lens
    key: lesson/controlled-randomness
    title: Randomness and unlucky streaks
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/lessons/controlled-randomness/'
    jsonUrl: >-
      https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/lesson/controlled-randomness.json
    markdownUrl: >-
      https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/lesson/controlled-randomness.md
  - type: reviews
    direction: incoming
    label: Apply this lens
    key: path/balance
    title: Balance and progression
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/learn/balance/'
    jsonUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/path/balance.json'
    markdownUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/path/balance.md'
placements:
  - title: In the original collection
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/lenses/#schell-036'
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  number: '36'
  theme: rules
  author: Jesse Schell
  originalTitle: Chance
  referenceUrl: 'https://deck.artofgamedesign.com/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original editorial explanations and review questions based on the
  user-selected Schell notes and attributed primary references. External
  concepts and source material retain their rights.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
---
# Chance

id: schell-036
type: lens
key: lens/schell-036
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/lens/schell-036/

Examine the role of uncertainty and how probabilities are understood.

## Principle

Examine the role of uncertainty and how probabilities are understood.

## Review questions

- How does randomness affect decisions before an event and reactions afterward?
- Can the player manage risk or merely wait for the outcome?

## Attribution and limits

Jesse Schell · Schell: 113 second-edition lenses

The concise explanations and review questions are original gamemechanics.pro wording. This is an independent reference, not a translation of the cards or a substitute for the book. Names, concepts and external material remain their authors’ work.

## Connected materials

- Apply this lens: [Randomness and unlucky streaks](https://gamemechanics.pro/en/lessons/controlled-randomness/) (key: lesson/controlled-randomness)
- Apply this lens: [Balance and progression](https://gamemechanics.pro/en/learn/balance/) (key: path/balance)

## Sources and provenance

Original editorial explanations and review questions based on the user-selected Schell notes and attributed primary references. External concepts and source material retain their rights.

- [Schell: 113 second-edition lenses](https://schellgames.com/art-of-game-design) (id: source-a5287443699910bb)
- [Chance](https://deck.artofgamedesign.com/) (id: source-f546a7168effffbb)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors