Dropout-Tolerant TTP-Free Mental Poker

Abstract

Abstract. There is a broad literature on distributed card games over communications networks, collectively known as mental poker. Likein any distributed protocol, avoiding the need for a Trusted Third Party (TTP) in mental poker is highly desirable, because really trusted TTPs are not always available and seldom free. This paper deals with the player dropout problem in mental poker without a TTP. A solution based on zero-knowledge proofs is proposed. While staying TTP-free, our proposal allows the game to continue after player dropout.