Just how much of the game is predetermined?

[Andy]

The placement of the items does not make any difference. The result has already been determined before you click on a card. What is displayed is just to justify the result.

[Deucalion]

I'm not experiencing the same issues as many of you with the chest shuffles. I never get the same "prize" more than twice in a row, BUT I hardly get a good prize.

I think this thread got side tracked, but my main point is simple. If there are ways to determine an outcome by micro managing choices on certain events and activities, i'd like to know this. That's all.