May 11, 2007
DLM: How to Win at Rocks, Paper, Scissors
Posted by Jess in
Geek Humor
One of my favorite blogs, Dumb Little Man (Tips for Life) had a story the other day titled "How to Win at Rocks, Paper, Scissors."
In it, the article (which originally came from Mental Floss Magazine) states that:
1 - Rock is for Rookies
In RPS circles a common mantra is 'Rock is for Rookies' because males have a tendency to lead with Rock on their opening throw. It has a lot to do with idea that Rock is perceived as 'strong and forceful', so guys tend to fall back on it. Use this knowledge to take an easy first win by playing Paper. This tactic is best done in pedestrian matches against someone who doesn't play that much and generally won't work in tournament play.
2 - Scissors on First
The second step in the 'Rock is for Rookies' line of thinking is to play scissors as your opening move against a more experienced player. Since you know they won't come out with rock (since it is too obvious), scissors is your obvious safe move to win against paper or stalemate to itself.
Now, this article didn't make me laugh because I want to learn how to win at RPS. No, it made me laugh because all I could think of was the following:
Man in Black: All right. Where is the poison? The battle of wits has begun. It ends when you decide and we both drink, and find out who is right... and who is dead.
Vizzini: But it's so simple. All I have to do is divine from what I know of you: are you the sort of man who would put the poison into his own goblet or his enemy's? Now, a clever man would put the poison into his own goblet, because he would know that only a great fool would reach for what he was given. I am not a great fool, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of you. But you must have known I was not a great fool, you would have counted on it, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me.
Man in Black: You've made your decision then?
Vizzini: Not remotely. Because iocane comes from Australia, as everyone knows, and Australia is entirely peopled with criminals, and criminals are used to having people not trust them, as you are not trusted by me, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of you.
Man in Black: Truly, you have a dizzying intellect.
Vizzini: Wait til I get going!
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Comments
That dialog is from the "Princess Bride" isn't it?
Yup, you got it! The one and only... :-)
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