Soundex is a code often used to represent surnames. The Soundex code for a name consists of a letter followed by three numerical digits: the letter is the first letter of the name, and the digits encode the remaining consonants. For instance, Soundex for "Coleman" is C455, because 4 represents the letter L, and 5 can represent the letter M or the letter N.
In Soundex Casino I show you a Soundex code. You have to guess which surname it matches from a list of 1000 most common surnames. Some codes match multiple names, so you score if you match, and score more if you match the name I'm thinking of. You can bet before you guess. For more information on the Soundex Code, say, help soundex. For rules on scoring and betting, say, help scoring. I will drop a card with complete help into your Alexa app, under the menu called 'Activity'. (That'll be your best reference while you learn and play.)
SOUNDEX
The Soundex code for a name consists of a letter followed by three numerical digits: the letter is the first letter of the name, and the digits encode the remaining consonants. Consonants at a similar place of articulation share the same digit so, for example, the labial consonants B, F, P, and V are each encoded as the number 1. So far so good?
To cook up a Soundex, you follow four simple rules:
1. Retain the first letter of the name and drop all other occurrences of a, e, i, o, u, y, h, w.
2. Replace consonants with digits as follows (after the first letter):
b, f, p, v → 1
c, g, j, k, q, s, x, z → 2
d, t → 3
l → 4
m, n → 5
r → 6
3. If two or more letters with the same number are adjacent in the original name (before step 1), only retain the first letter; also two letters with the same number separated by 'h' or 'w' are coded as a single number, whereas such letters separated by a vowel are coded twice. This rule also applies to the first letter.
4. If you have too few letters in your word that you can't assign three numbers, append with zeros until there are three numbers. If you have four or more numbers, retain only the first three.
SCORING
You start with ten coins (you're welcome).
Score one coin by matching the Soundex without a hint.
Score another coin by matching the exact name I was thinking of (without a hint).
Lose a coin if you guess wrong.
BETTING
Before guessing, you can bet any amount from your coin stack.
To bet, say: Bet (amount) (bet-type)
Bet types:
Straight: bet you'll get it right
Most Common: bet you will guess the most common matching name
Least Common: bet you will guess the least common matching name
Blind: get a new Soundex and place a straight bet before you see it.
Payoffs vary, and may be a function of π or e.
If you ask for a bet without a (bet-type), it defaults to a straight bet.
If you ask for a bet without an amount, you will wager half of your coin stack
OTHER COMMANDS
"Hint" - you'll get a hint about the Soundex mappings for each number (it will cost you a coin for a hint, and you won't win any coins)
"Help scoring" - get a summary of the scoring and betting rules
"Help soundex" - brief summary of soundex, plus a display of the mapping rules on display devices (you won't win a coin)
"Reset" - resets your high score (which is saved from session to session)
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