Home / Party Games / Rock, Paper, Scissors

How to Play Rock, Paper, Scissors

Setup

Players

  • Two Players

Materials

  • Hands
  • Fingers

Scoring

  • Best of 3

Objective

The first player to win two out of three games wins!

Gameplay

Each person hold out their hands one in a fist and one flat with their palm up. Moving your fist up and then down into your flat palm each players says “Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot! As both players simultaneously say “Shoot!” you adjust your fisted hand into one of 3 choices.

Rock: Your hand stays a fist.

Paper: You lay your hand flat palm facing down.

Scissors: You hold out 2 fingers emulating a pair of scissors.

Endgame

For scoring purposes Rock beats Scissors, Scissors beat Paper, and Paper beats Rock. If both players choose the same object the round is played again. This game is typically used to decide who goes first in an upcoming game, and can also be used to decide who does things they may not want to do like chores.

Example/ Demonstration

Two players stand facing each other and both extend their hands in front of them. At the same time and in cadence with each other both players say “Rock, Papers, Scissors, Shoot!” On “shoot” both players form their hand into one of the 3 object choices.

Rock, Paper, Scissors Strategy & Tips

According to a statistical analysis by Carnegie Mellon University who analyzed 90 people playing the game 22.2% of players started with Rock, 40% started with Paper, and 37.7% of players started with Scissors.

Rock, Paper, Scissors Variations

  • Rock, Paper, Scissors Teams: Up to 6 players stand in a circle and play a normal round. If 3 different objects are chosen in the group the round is nullified and played again. If only 2 objects are chosen ie: Rock and Paper. All the players that chose the losing option lose.
  • Rock, Paper, Scissors, Spock: Popularized by the sitcom Big Bang Theory this variation follows the same rules but adds 2 more objects to choose. Spock and Lizard. The scoring goes as follows: Spock beats Scissors and Rock but loses to Paper and Lizard. Lizard beats Spock and Paper but loses to Rock and Scissors. Rock beats Scissors and Lizard, but loses to Paper and Spock. Paper beats Rock and Spock, but loses to Scissors and Lizard. Scissors beats Paper and Lizard, but loses to Rock and Spock.

FAQs

Why does Rock beat Scissors?

Because Rock smashes Scissors.

Why does Scissors beat Paper?

Because Scissors cut Paper.

Why does Paper beat Rock?

Because Paper covers Rock.

About the Author: Dan Powell

Daniel is a fiercely competitive Beer Pong and Settlers of Catan player who loves introducing new games to friends.

More Games

Flip Cup tic-tac-toe

SetupPlayers 2 or 4 players (divided into two teams of 2) Materials Plastic cups (2 different colors, enough for 9 per team) A flat surface like a table that is high enough for players to flip cups on Marker (to draw the tic-tac-toe board on the surface) Optional:...

Who’s Most Likely to

SetupPlayers:  A minimum of three players, but it can accommodate larger groups, making it a fun pick for parties or gatherings Best suitable for ages 17 and up; if you’re playing a drinking game variation, make sure to up the age to 21! Materials: A deck of cards...

How to Play Four Corners

SetupMaterials A sturdy table 4+ cans of beer One ping pong ball Paper towel if playing indoors; it can get messy if beer is knocked off tables! Players Four Corners can accommodate four players, or you can play in four teams of two, alternating who’s playing Age 21...

Other Articles

Flip Cup tic-tac-toe

Flip Cup tic-tac-toe

SetupPlayers 2 or 4 players (divided into two teams of 2) Materials Plastic cups (2 different colors, enough for 9 per team) A flat surface like a table that is high enough for players to flip cups on Marker (to draw the tic-tac-toe board on the surface) Optional:...

Who’s Most Likely to

Who’s Most Likely to

SetupPlayers:  A minimum of three players, but it can accommodate larger groups, making it a fun pick for parties or gatherings Best suitable for ages 17 and up; if you’re playing a drinking game variation, make sure to up the age to 21! Materials: A deck of cards...

How to Play Four Corners

How to Play Four Corners

SetupMaterials A sturdy table 4+ cans of beer One ping pong ball Paper towel if playing indoors; it can get messy if beer is knocked off tables! Players Four Corners can accommodate four players, or you can play in four teams of two, alternating who’s playing Age 21...