Rock – Paper – Scissors is a game used to decide something between two kids, such as who goes first in a game, etc.

Notes

Variations

Kevin Josephson informed me that not everyone says it this way and that there are regional variations. Some say just "Rock, Paper, Scissors!" Some people say "Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot" (without "and").

There's a new version that's played around the world by teenagers. In some countries, when it's played by a girl and boy, the boy is slapped if he loses, but the girl is kissed if she loses. This version is played as a game in and of itself, not to choose something.

Please email me to let me know how you play it. If possible, also let me know where you're from. Thanks! Mama Lisa

Game Instructions

Two players each hide one hand behind their backs. Then they say the line together at the same time, "Rock, Paper, Scissors and Shoot!". On "shoot" they put their hands out at exactly the same time in one of the three signs, "Rock", "Paper" or "Scissors".

Here's how to make each sign:

-Rock: Make a fist.
-Paper: Put out a flat hand horizontal to the ground.
-Scissors: Put out the index and middle finger imitating scissors.

Here's how you determine who won the round depending upon which symbol each kid put out:

- Rock beats Scissors (imagine a rock breaking the scissors).
- Scissors beats Paper (imagine the scissors cutting the paper).
- Paper beats Rock (imagine a piece of paper covering a rock).

If both kids chose the same symbol, they have to replay the round.

Whoever wins the round is the winner of the game. Sometimes kids will decide that the winner is whoever wins 2 out of 3 rounds.

Comments

According to Wikipedia, Rock-Paper-Scissors is also called Roshambo and originally comes from China. It's so old that it dates back about 2,000 years to the time of the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). This game is now played in many countries around the world.

Thanks and Acknowledgements

Thanks to Kevin Josephson for pointing out the variations of "Rock, Paper, Scissors" in the USA!