Friday, October 4, 2013

The Art Of Rock, Paper, Scissors...!

The game of rock, paper, and scissors seems like a children's game, but some folks take it very serious!

Come to find out, there is actually an art to being successful at this. I found an article that explains some of the finer points of playing and possibly winning!

The Strategy Behind Rock Paper Scissors

The rules are simple: Rock smashes scissors, scissors cut paper, paper covers rock. Each option perfectly balanced. The strategy? You’d think there is none, but you’d be wrong. There is a bit of psychology behind our choices, which Rock Paper Scissors (RPS) “experts” exploit to their advantage.

According to the World RPS Society, which ran the 2009 World RPS Championships last fall, there are a few factors which, if exploited, can help you win. Men tend to open with rock, but that’s only typical of beginners. Another bad habit of the uninitiated? New players rarely toss the same thing three times in a row. So if your opponent plays paper twice, you should drop a rock the next time — it’s most likely safe. And finally, inexperienced players tend to “replay” the last hand after a loss or draw, throwing the option that would have just beaten them. For example, if your opponent played a rock in the previous round and lost, they are much more likely to go with paper (which beats rock) than with the other two options.

There are tips that work on more experienced players, too. The World RPS Society notes that in competitive play — yes, there are lots of rock paper scissors tournaments – scissors appears only 29.6% of the time. And regardless of skill (to use the term loosely) or experience, all players are somewhat susceptible to implicit suggestion — simply talking about one option more than the others can subconsciously cause your opponent to play that suggested move.

These tips just might come in handy the next time you play. You never know what kind of information you'll find at the Hermit's place, right?

Coffee in the kitchen this morning. I have some lemon bunt cake I'll share!

8 comments:

  1. Always find good information at your place Mr. Hermit! Never knew there were actual tournaments and experts on that game. I haven't had a lemon cake in a while - sounds so good!

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  2. Very interesting facts. I've never actually done RPS but know a lot of people who have. I will pass this info on to them. Have a great weekend.

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  3. I can't even remember the last time I played RPS and can only remember the symbol for scissors.

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  4. If I ever get to take you out for coffee, let's play rock, paper, scissors to see who pays (grin)

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  5. Brandon here from Ready To Go Survival Gear. Have to say, RPS is fun and I agree there is a level of strategy at play!

    The best approach is you know your opponent. People don't often improve their RPS strategy fast enough for you to figure out how they play!

    As kids we used to play for $1 bills in school and this post brought back some great memories. Thank you!

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  6. Howdy HJ,
    I speak TEXAN, Spanish, a little German, a few words of French, Italian, Russian & Swahili, but you lost me after the FIRST sentence of the blog... As far as I know RPS is a delivery system... Where'd y'all get the knowledge of all of that brain cracker???
    Guess I'll go back to Al's blog and try to understand Canadian!!!!

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  7. When I was a kid in Hawaii it was John-Canna-Po, I'd never heard of rock-paper-scissors until we came back to the mainland.
    A guy I knew from the Louisiana area called it 3 French words.

    No matter what you call it it does the job. Someone wins & someone loses.

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  8. Hey Phyllis...
    I try and find stuff that's interesting! Glad you like it!

    Thanks for coming over today!



    Hey Linda...
    We used to play as kids, but it was usually to settle a dispute!

    Thanks for the visit today!



    Hey Jo...
    At least you have played the game, right?

    Thanks, sweetie, for dropping in!



    Hey Dizzy...
    Sounds like a plan to me!

    Thanks for coming over!



    Hey Brandon...
    I never realized this was so complicated! Same as other games, I reckon!

    Thanks for dropping in today!



    Hey Butterbean...
    I found this info over at a newsletter I get called "Now I Know"! I can send you the link if you want!

    Glad you came by today!

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