Rock, and Paper, and Scissors oh my!

Coming soon, live on ESPN8 “The Ocho”…

On a hazy battlefield of turmoil and despair, life and death decisions are made in an instant. Two brave gladiators duel to the death with only one of three weapons to choose from; paper, rock, or scissors.

In a world of fiercely competitive sports that test the physical prowess and skill of its players, a brand new upper echelon of athlete is emerging to answer a single question. Who will be the undisputed champion of random decision making?

Paper, Rock, Scissors (RPS) has been the game of choice for people in all countries for centuries. Historians believe that the game, in one form or another, has been around since approximately 200B.C. Many proponents of RPS even claim that RPS was played in the Orient and that it is known fact that Martial Arts developed as players, upset at the outcomes of certain RPS matches, chose violet action with their fists. That is why many refer to RPS as the Father of all Martial Arts.

In the most recent “official” configuration of the game, two players simultaneously form their hands into one of three configurations: “rock” (a fist), “paper” (fingers flat), or “scissors” (first two fingers in a V shape). Each shape “wins” against one other—scissors wins against paper (“scissors cut paper”), rock wins against scissors (“rock dulls (or crushes) scissors”), and paper wins against rock (“paper covers rock”). If both players make the same choice, it’s a draw and the procedure is repeated.

While a part of the fabric of our culture for many years, RPS has begun to emerge as a popular competitive sport. Two skilled opponents face off in a battle of wits and strategy. Is there really a “strategy” to this “sport”, it’s random isn’t it? Professional RPS players will be the first to tell you that the game requires a powerful mind capable of extreme concentration and the ability to read the opponents body language. The goal is to look for subtle cues as to what the opponent’s next “throw” will be.

The Toronto based World RPS Society has an extensive and detailed list of rules for competitions—including things like how the participants should come to an agreement about the number of “primes” they will use (primes being the preliminary arm movements used to synchronize the throws). The allowable hand configurations are also described in detail—for example, “paper” must always be horizontal, not vertical like a handshake. And of course, players must be careful to form their chosen hand symbol before the arm reaches the 90° point. In tournament play, a referee verifies that players abide by the rules and arbitrates disputes.

Professional RPS matches have begun to spring up all over the world. Large tournaments with cash prizes entice everyone from novices to pros to flock to them, hoping for a chance to win some money as well as eternal glory. The World RPS Society began holding an international tournament in 2002, but the upstart USARPS made a splash by bringing aboard Anheuser-Busch’s Bud Light as a sponsor - and offering championship booty nearly 10 times that of the older league. At an RPS tournament, players usually compete in a series of elimination rounds. Each match consists of two sets of three games each. Match winners advance to the next round; losers are out of the entire competition.

On April 9, 2006, RPS masters will converge on Las Vegas, NV for the 2006 USARPS Championships. There is a cash prize of $50,000 for the winner of the no holds barred contest. 300 players, all winners of the regional qualifiers, will get their chance at fame and glory. Winner takes all. And of course, no extreme sporting event would be complete without the official “Girls of RPS” adding to the aura of this magical night. Let’s just pray that steroids don’t tarnish this fine competition like it has so many others.

Do you have what it takes to be the King of Paper, Rock, Scissors? Do you wow your friends with your amazing ability to cut their paper or break their scissors? Your time for immortality may be near. Who knows, you may even find yourself featured in “The Obscure Sports Quarterly” or on ESPN8 “The Ocho”.

Further Reading:
- Learn the official rules and strategy for RPS at the World RPS Society
- Learn more about the upcoming Las Vegas Tournament at the official USARPS site
- Read the story of a St. Louis man as he strives for RPS glory

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Previous Comments

1. someone shoot me

   Posted by stevecook  on  06/27/06  at  10:38 PM

2. My boyfriend plays RPS at the bar all of the time with his buddies. They take this game pretty seriously

   Posted by cindybot  on  04/04/06  at  04:51 PM

3. I can’t believe that this is a real sport!

   Posted by MoMoney  on  04/04/06  at  12:12 PM