Engine hash table usage

In Arena 3 I like to analyze with four engines at once-- Houdini, Rybka, Komodo and Critter. I notice with the "hash usage %" that Houdini and Critter are using their hash tables, whereas Rybka and Komodo are not (0% usage according to Arena). When I load the engines they all claim to have set a hash table to 128 like I specified in the UCI settings, and their memory usage reflects that.

Is it likely that Rybka IS using its hash table but Arena just isn't reporting the usage? If not, what do I need to do to make them use it?

So you're saying that these engines use hash?

Lol yes that's the secret to their masterful play. But I would like all 4 of them to use it not just 2 :( help please ty

All I had was the "hash" joke, I can't really help

yea it has a set hashtable pre set unless specified otherwise.  not sure what it is but 128 is real popular.  one engine should be fine to analyze with, though, really.  any reason you use four? 

So you're saying it's using its table even though Arena is saying 0% usage while analyzing?

I use 4 on infinite time, so I can see when they reach an agreement. If 3/4 of them including Houdini agree on a move (or better yet all 4), I can be nearly certain it's the best move. Or if Houdini and Rybka agree on a move (or Houdini and one other engine), that's usually the best move (the other 2 eventually change their mind). So I feel it's a good combination of speed (the agreement usually doesn't take long) and strength. With only 1 engine I wouldn't have a way of knowing how long to wait. (I want the BEST move not 2nd-best :P)

I guess what I wanna know is, what does the usage % say for you guys during analysis with Rybka? (You might have to slide the bar, that stat is to the right after "current move".) Is it supposed to say 0% or does it say a real percentage for you guys?

I use only houdini, since it has been tested to be the best out there at the moment.

@trysts would hash be considered cheating, if it improves play? That stuff is known to give one excellent concentration, albeit at the cost of missing alot of other things that go on around you. :) It is also proven that students who use it while learning something, and then again when the exame comes, it increases performance. From my experience, it offers easier access to long term memory, and the sub-concious.

 nice

I've actually never had hash, it's just pot around these parts. Pot increases enjoyment, for sure, when I play chess. But, I would probably have to smoke it for a few weeks straight to get used to how much time I'm taking for a move. The "internal-time-consciousness" is usually a little off, from objective time, and before you know it you have 2 minutes left on the clock! So, I wouldn't say it increases performance, even after you get used to it. I would say it increases enjoyment

@Trysts - if you haven't had "hash" either in oil or solid form ... then you don't know what you're missing. Where on earth is the Ketel One ... kids these days - shsssh

@ Wellread - Mr Wanna be Ignatius J. O'Reilly - glad to see you're on the ball!

How can you be so well read and yet so manipulative? Something you've read must have pointed out the evil in those ways.

Recon,

John

Now that's what we call a prejudice, even though you formulated it as a question. :) Why would anyone want to share it with kids? But then, what's the difference with prescribed medication? When a kid is too busy these days (in other words, when their parents are too stressed out to handle the normal behaviour of their child ) they get pumped with adhd medicin, while it would be much better if the parents take a look at themselves and ask themselves the question: are we prepared to sacrifice enough of our life to give the child a decent childhood?

 In my opinion, any mind altering substance should not be used before the brain is fully developed. And even then, I would recommend the plants that God created above any synthetic drug. :P

@kneejo - don't try to make sense. It's against the law. (making sense)

I would postulate the Bible - but I'm going to hell.... apparently

Postulating is hell. You're there. So postulate, baby.

I am missing it, for sure! No Ketel one tonight, only the cheap stuff

I'm in complete agreement there, kneejo

 In my country it's condoned. But not for kids. Alcohol is not forbidden in most countries, yet it is much more damaging to the body, much more addictive, and causing much more death. What do you think about French people giving their children wine from a very young age. Ever wonder why France has so many adult alcoholics?

ahhh dude - I took too much assumption that you would know me. I apologize. I was being sarcastic and attempting to be funny in saying 'to try to make sense about pot being illegal is against the law' not trying to say 'pot is against the law'.

Sorry for the confusion. I will pass any drug test today (Haywood) but I think pot should be legal. It's a wonderful substance.

"I need all four of my engines to use hashtables, because without them, they can only beat grandmasters ninety-nine percent of the time, which just isn't good enough to deliver a fully accurate analysis of my 1444 rapid play."

   Sounds like a large, lazy, cigar smoking person we all know and love. Or maybe any one of a thousand viewers of "Friends", football, or any other piece of TV trash.