diff --git a/plugins/commands.py b/plugins/commands.py
index 69170a4..933372c 100644
--- a/plugins/commands.py
+++ b/plugins/commands.py
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ def command_unicode(argv, **args):
 @pluginfunction('dice', 'rolls a dice, optional N times', ptypes_COMMAND, ratelimit_class=RATE_INTERACTIVE)
 def command_dice(argv, **args):
     try:
-        count = 1 if argv else int(argv[0])
+        count = 1 if not argv else int(argv[0])
     except ValueError as e:
         return {
             'msg': '%s: dice: error when parsing int(%s): %s' % (
diff --git a/urlbot.py b/urlbot.py
index dad992e..f7ac5dc 100755
--- a/urlbot.py
+++ b/urlbot.py
@@ -247,11 +247,15 @@ class UrlBot(IdleBot):
         data = msg_obj['body']
         words = data.split()
 
+        # prepend the bot nick so we have the same syntax as in muc
+        if msg_obj['type'] == 'chat' and words and self.nick not in words[0]:
+            words = [self.nick] + words
+
         if len(words) < 2:  # need at least two words
             return None
 
-        # don't reply if beginning of the text matches bot_nickname
-        if not data.startswith(config.conf_get('bot_nickname')):
+        # only reply if beginning of the text matches bot_nickname or it's a private session.
+        if msg_obj['type'] == 'groupchat' and not data.startswith(config.conf_get('bot_nickname')):
             return None
 
         if 'hangup' in data:
@@ -275,7 +279,7 @@ class UrlBot(IdleBot):
                 parser_list=[pl.plugin_name for pl in plugin_storage[ptypes_PARSE]],
                 reply_user=reply_user,
                 msg_obj=msg_obj,
-                argv=words[2:]
+                argv=words[2:] if len(words) > 1 else []
             )
 
             if ret: