Rock Paper Scissors

games · strategy · hand game

Three simple shapes. Rock beats scissors, scissors beats paper, and paper beats rock. Each move beats one and loses to one, so no move is stronger than the others.

Started in China. The game came from China and was brought to Japan centuries ago, where people gave it the rules we use today.

Spread worldwide. Japanese people brought rock paper scissors to other countries in the early 1900s, and now kids play it all around the world.

Quick decision game. Both players make their shape at exactly the same time with their hand, so you have to guess what your opponent will throw.

Intransitive means fair. Since rock, paper, and scissors each beat exactly one move and lose to exactly one, no single strategy can always win.