Rock Paper Scissors QuickStart

No Skill…Just Luck

Snakes and Ladders with RPS Logic

Many games, today, no matter the genre, seem to follow the same logic as the classic game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Rock, Paper, Scissors is based solely on luck. Strategies can be attempted, but unless you can read your opponents mind, it’s all luck. Similarly, the board game Snakes and Ladders, or Chutes and Ladders as it is often referred, is based solely on luck. The player must roll the die and go the indicated number of spaces. If they land at the bottom of a ladder, they “go up” the ladder and skip spaces. If they land at the head of a snake, they must “slide down” and back spaces. There is no skill or strategy involved. The player’s moves are based solely on the number rolled by the die.

            In many board games, with die used to indicate the number of spaces moved, players are eventually asked to make decisions. Whether they are asked to choose between two paths, or if they would like to switch places with an opponents and with which opponent they would like to switch and so on. Snakes and Ladders, however, has no decisions. If you reach the bottom of a ladder, you have to go up. If you reach the top of a snake, you have to go down. It is as simple as that. No exceptions. Neither Rock, Paper, Scissors, nor Snakes and Ladders required skill, endurance, or problem solving. All you need is luck.  

Rock, Paper, Scissors

Number of Players

This game is most successful with 2 players, but can be played with a larger group.

Overview

Rock, Paper, Scissors is a multiple player game, where the players battle each other using three hand gestures. The game is played with the players facing each other and the gestures are directed at the opponent. Each hand gesture beats one, loses to another or ties (if it is the same gesture). Each player can only use one hand gesture at a time.

Purpose

Used for decision making, tie-breaking, quick and fast decisions, and non-violent conflict resolution.

Gestures

A closed fist represents rock.

A hand held horizontally palm down represents paper.

A peace sign gesture pointing at the opposite player represents scissors.­­

Chant

The game begins with each player chanting “rock, paper, scissors, shoot!” When the word shoot is sung, that is when the players make/play their hand gesture.

Game Logic and Rules

Rock beats Scissors, but loses to Paper

Paper beats Rock, but loses to Scissors

Scissors beats Paper, but loses to Rock

After the hand gestures are played, the player with the winning hand gesture wins the round. For example, if Player A makes a rock and Player B makes paper, Player B wins the round because Paper beats Rock. On the occasion of a tie (both players make the same gesture), repeat the round. The players can play as many rounds of play as they wish.

Historical Games

My favorite historical game is Chess. I like the fact that Chess makes you think and strategize. Every piece has different abilities so you have to not only pay attention to what pieces you can move, but also which of your opponents pieces can take yours on the next turn if not moved. You have to play offensively and defensively at the same time.