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Rock Paper Scissors is a timeless and enigmatic game enjoyed by millions worldwide. Often used to resolve small disagreements, it also embodies fundamental principles of game theory. While many overlook its significance, few games are as universally recognized or possess such a fascinating history.
Discover ten fascinating facts about Rock Paper Scissors!
10. A Game with Many Names
Roshambo is another name for Rock Paper Scissors, predominantly used in Northern California. The origin of the term Roshambo remains a mystery, though many speculate it has French roots, linked to the Comte de Rochambeau—a French nobleman from the American Revolutionary War who appeared in the musical Hamilton. While folklore claims he played the game, historical records indicate it wasn’t yet popular in America during his time.
The earliest documented mention of the term Roshambo appears in “The Handbook for Recreational Leaders,” published in Oakland, California. The term itself doesn’t translate to anything in any known language, leaving its origins open to speculation. Some suggest it might be an Americanized version of “Jon Ken Pon,” the Japanese name for the game. The significant East Asian community in the area likely introduced children to the Japanese term, while the emphasis on Revolutionary history in schools made Rochambeau a familiar name. These influences may have merged, resulting in a unique regional term for Rock Paper Scissors. This remains the most plausible explanation to date.
9. A Judge’s Unusual Decree
When two attorneys couldn’t agree on the location for a witness deposition, Judge Gregory Presnell grew tired of their bickering. He mandated that they resolve the issue by playing a single round of Rock Paper Scissors. To prevent further disputes, he designated the steps of the Tampa federal courthouse as the venue.
While it may seem absurd, the game was set to be supervised by Matti Leshem, co-commissioner of the USA Rock Paper Scissors League. He predicted both lawyers would choose paper, given their profession’s reliance on documents. However, the attorneys opted to settle the matter through alternative means, avoiding the playful showdown. Still, this incident established a quirky precedent for resolving disputes with childhood games.
8. A Multi-Million Dollar Art Transaction
Sotheby’s and Christie’s dominate the auction industry, fiercely competing for the most prestigious art sales. When Maspro Denkoh Corporation, an electronics company, decided to auction its art collection valued at approximately $20 million, its president, Takashi Hashiyama, made an unconventional choice. He awarded the contract to the auction house that won a game of Rock Paper Scissors, explaining, “I believe this is the most effective way to decide between two equally excellent options.”
The president of Christie’s approached the game with seriousness, delving into its psychological aspects. She sought advice from 11-year-old twins Alice and Flora Maclean, daughters of Christie’s international director for Impressionist and modern art. The twins recommended scissors, reasoning that “rock is too predictable, and scissors beat paper.” When questioned about a potential tie, they advised sticking with scissors, anticipating the opponent would switch to paper.
Sotheby’s, on the other hand, relied on chance, believing the game to be purely random. During the showdown, both parties wrote down their choices instead of using hand gestures. As the twins predicted, Sotheby’s chose paper, while Christie’s secured the deal with scissors. Later that year, Alice Maclean’s wisdom was featured in Time magazine’s “quotes of the week” alongside notable figures like a future Pope and Bill Clinton, with her iconic advice: “Everybody knows you always start with scissors.”
7. It’s Not as Random as It Seems
Researchers from several Chinese universities conducted in-depth studies on Rock Paper Scissors and its connection to human decision-making. They identified effective strategies, noting that people tend to repeat successful choices and avoid unsuccessful ones. In multiple rounds, the optimal approach is to base your move on the opponent’s previous action. If they win, switch to the move that beats their last choice. If they lose, they are likely to change their move, so you should play the move that would have lost to their previous one. This method, known as the “win-stay, lose-shift” strategy, offers a tactical edge in the game.
Additional insights suggest that men and beginners are more inclined to choose rock, while paper is slightly less favored compared to the other options. Although Rock Paper Scissors appears to rely on luck, human predictability and susceptibility to patterns can reduce its randomness if you can anticipate your opponent’s moves. However, this strategy only works against someone unfamiliar with such research. If your opponent is aware, you’ll face a more complex mental duel.
6. Koreans Have Enhanced Versions
In Korea, the game enjoys immense popularity, and locals have created innovative variations. One such game, muk-zzi-ppa (묵찌빠), uses traditional Rock Paper Scissors as a preliminary step. The initial round determines the first attacker in muk-zzi-ppa. The attacker must then make the opponent match their shouted and displayed symbol. Winning allows the attacker to continue, while losing shifts the role to the opponent. A tie results in the attacker winning the entire game.
Another variation, hana ppaegi (subtract one), involves chanting a rhyme before displaying two symbols. Players then select one of the two to compete against their opponent. The Philippines has its own version, jak-en-poy, which incorporates a rhyme. A four-line song is sung, with a round played after each line. The player with the most wins emerges victorious. Some versions replace scissors with a bird (formed by shaping the hand into a beak), which defeats water by drinking it but loses to stone. Water, in turn, overcomes stone through erosion. This logic feels slightly more intuitive than paper defeating stone.
If these variations don’t appeal to you, consider trying Sheldon Cooper’s version from The Big Bang Theory: Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock!
5. They Host Competitive Tournaments
In 1995, as the internet began to flourish, brothers Doug and Gary Walker decided to launch a website. Unsure of the topic, they drew inspiration from their playful Rock Paper Scissors matches in their garage, complete with spirited trash-talk. They fabricated traditions and myths for the site, unintentionally sparking a viral phenomenon. What started as a joke quickly gained traction.
Over the following decade, the game’s popularity surged, leading to the establishment of the World Rock Paper Scissors Championships. Sponsored by tech giants Microsoft and Yahoo!, the event offered a $10,000 prize. Participants embraced the fun, arriving in elaborate costumes and adopting quirky nicknames, fostering a vibrant culture around this nostalgic pastime.
While no player claimed victory more than once, a clear hierarchy of skill emerged. Although the frenzy has diminished, Doug and Gary Walker remain recognized as authorities in the field. Their website, wrpsa.com, continues to engage fans and promote competitions.
4. The Game Has Ancient Roots
The earliest reference to this type of game traces back to China’s Han dynasty (206 BC–AD 220), featuring a frog, caterpillar, and snake. Japanese history also frequently mentions sansukumi-ken, a game symbolizing three entities that fear one another.
The game is thought to have originated in China before spreading to Japan. A mistranslation in Japan led to the game being represented by a frog, slug, and snake. Over time, this evolved into Jan-ken, using the familiar symbols we recognize today. While its introduction to the U.S. remains unclear, it gained recognition by the early 20th century. The rules for “John Ken Pon,” as it was known then, were detailed in a 1932 New York Times article.
3. Chimpanzees Can Master Rock Paper Scissors
Humans aren’t the only species capable of playing Rock Paper Scissors. Chimpanzees can learn the game at a level comparable to an average four-year-old. Research conducted at universities in Japan and China revealed that while chimps learn slower than human children, they can eventually grasp the game. The most challenging aspect for them is understanding the final pairing, highlighting the difficulty they face with the game’s circular logic.
The ability of chimps to comprehend the game’s circular reasoning provides scientists with valuable insights into their cognitive abilities. Researchers hope this discovery will encourage further exploration into primate intelligence.
2. Rock Paper Scissors with Law Enforcement
Three police officers in Nook, Texas, faced backlash after offering an underage teenager the chance to avoid a citation by winning a game of Rock Paper Scissors. Unfortunately, the incident was recorded and went viral. The officers, hired for security at Chillfest, were subsequently barred from future events.
Officers have discretion in issuing citations, but they were explicitly instructed to maintain professionalism and wear uniforms at the festival. As Burleson County constable Dennis Gaas stated, “Using a game to determine whether a citation or warning is issued does not align with professional behavior.”
1. Practice Against a Robot
Humans struggle to act randomly, even when they believe they are. Afiniti showcases machine learning by identifying patterns in your gameplay and exploiting them. While it won’t win every match, its performance improves over time, often surpassing random chance. You can test it yourself on the Afiniti website.
This advanced computer learning system leverages many of the strategies mentioned earlier but achieves greater precision by storing and analyzing a comprehensive dataset of every decision you make. Even if you strive to play randomly, your awareness of past choices ensures true randomness is unattainable. Over time, you’ll notice Afiniti’s win rate steadily climb.
