Yes, but it's not just that there's only "a chance" that the collision is avoided - that would be enough if it was actually just a random probability (after all

Yes, but it's not just that there's only "a chance" that the collision is avoided - that would be enough if it was actually just a random probability (after all, everything about hashing and collisions - in the best textbook case - is just chance). The problem is that there are methods for obtaining what we call "seed-independent collisions" where by analyzing the hashing algorithm itself you can actually determine a priori values that will collide regardless of the seed. If you have half an hour to spare, I really recommend you take the time to read this: http://emboss.github.io/blog/2012/12/14/breaking-murmur-hash-flooding-dos-reloaded/ http://emboss.github.io/blog/2012/12/14/breaking-murmur-hash...