This is what I would always “throw” when playing the game Rock, Paper, Scissors (also known as RPS). I used to think it was a good choice: rock can break through scissors, was impervious to other rocks, and it made my knuckles look slightly intimidating in case my opponent and I ever needed to “discuss” a judgment call later in the game. The only thing is, paper covers rock, scissors cuts through paper, rock breaks scissors and scissors cuts through…well, paper. It’s a vicious cycle.
Sure, claiming repeated victory over your grammar school classmate for his share of chocolate milk during lunch might have seemed like a good choice, but what if you were to compete with middle-aged men and women who not only had their own fists of threatening rocks, but a devious pair of scissors, a cunning paper and a few hundred RPS championships under their belts? Where would you turn? The Official Rock, Paper, Scissors Strategy Guide, that’s where. (You might also want to turn there if you want to learn how to pick up chicks.)
Okay, so you may be wondering, how is this relevant to our network? Well, it’s not, but the man who wrote it is: our very own Douglas Walker from TBWA\Toronto. He is the Managing Director of the World RPS Society and Organizer of the Annual World Championships of Rock Paper Scissors.
So how does one become a world champion? Not by throwing rocks. There’s a lot to learn, and you’ll have to pick up his book to find out. Meantime, here are some excerpts:
Walker begins with a history lesson:
“The first known proto-RPS game was played widely by early Homo Sapiens circa 50,000 B.C. and was used primarily to resolve food and mating disputes. The game involved only one hand position, almost identical to a modern-day throw of the Rock. The game would involve two or more players, with some players acting as “throwers” and the others as “catchers.” The thrower would attempt to place his Rock at a strategic position on another player’s body; the catcher would then attempt to avoid the opponent’s throw.
“Over the centuries this game was further advanced to include the use of open hands to stop or block a throw of Rock, and also the use of the index and middle finger (or the ‘eye-poker,’ as it was then known). It was this very early form of RPS that was the inspiration for martial arts throughout India, China, Korea and Japan.
“Janken, as the first known true RPS game, was roused into existence by application of the Guu Choki Paa (or Sansukumi) way of thinking, which can be defined as a nontransitive tripartite system or, in laymen’s terms, a three-way impasse. Guu Choki Paa describes how the snake fears the slug; the slug fears the frog; and the frog fears the snake. When all three are present, they are held in balance so that none can triumph over another. When only two are present, the balance is disrupted, allowing one to dominate over another.”
He then moves into “how to play”:
The Prime: “The prime is the ritual used to get players in synch with each other…”
There’s two “priming conventions”: European prime, which is a three-prime shoot. Players pump their arms in unison three times. And the North American prime, which is a two-prime shoot.
Rock: “Represented as it is by a closed fist, Rock is commonly perceived as the most aggressive throw.”
According to Walker, each rock, paper and scissors has its own set of values:
Rock: overbearing | aggressive | blunt
Player’s mind-set:
I am confident, perhaps even arrogant
I am seeking the quick win
I act before thinking
Paper: Protective | Passive | Thoughtful
Player’s mind-set:
I feel threatened
I conserve my strength
I am open-minded
Scissors: Devious | Ingenious | Reactive
Player’s mind-set:
I am not to be trusted
I am calculating
I may switch tactics quickly
Gambits is a series of successive moves made with strategic intention. Here are a few:
Avalanche: Rock rock rock. The avalanche is a relentless and devastating offensive maneuver.
The Crescendo: Paper, Scissors, Rock. “The slow-building nature of this gambit makes it a very elegant opening series.”
Well, there you go. That’s all you get. There are just too many strategic tips in this book to fit in this itty-bitty blog posting.
To purchase the book go here
anonymous