We mentally picture that as flipping a coin. It tosses the coin itself and can repeat it for a more reliable answer. In the HC algorithm, we must trust the opponent to follow the presumed random procedure. If he cheats and produces connected graphs often, our analysis breaks down. Randomness comes into Computer Science in many other ways besides those we considered.
Several philosophers dine at a circular table.
Before each of them is a plate, and left of each plate is either a knife or a fork arranged so that each diner has a knife on his right and a fork on his left or vice versa. Trying to grab the knives and forks at once may turn them into fighting philosophers. Instead they could each flip a coin, and sit still if it comes up heads, otherwise try to grab the utensils. If two diners try to grab the same utensil, neither succeeds. If they repeat this procedure enough times, most likely each philosopher will eventually get both a knife and fork without interference.