• We really need a mode of SQL server where al output order is randomized if no ordering is in effect (explicit or otherwise). This would take away the guessing out of some SQL constructs. So if it can go wrong, it will go wrong and right on your first test run.

    Personally I would never rely on implicit ordering, we seen how that effect can change as the LOP changes due to available cores (remember the partitioned version of running totals?).