Cast lots

Words referring to casting lots: to make a decision by chance.

• What methods are used for making a decision by chance?
  roll a die flip a coin draw straws pick names out of a hat rock-paper-scissors pick a card (out of a deck) count off decide who goes first
• What kind of decisions are made by these methods?
  deciding who goes first in a game deciding who is guilty
• What do people say when a decision has been made?
  X team has won the toss. OK, John goes first. I win. The Lord's will be done. It is the will of the gods. The gods have spoken.
• What is the validating principle behind these methods?
  fate chance God's will social consensus