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Rock, paper, scissors players to compete for world championship
AFP ^ | 11/13/06

Posted on 11/13/2006 6:37:48 AM PST by presidio9

Can global conflicts be settled by rock, paper, scissors? Maybe not. But organizers of a RPS tournament in Toronto this weekend want the centuries-old children's game applied more often to settle lesser fights.

"It's the simplest, fairest way to make a decision or resolve a conflict," tournament director Graham Walker told AFP.

"We don't think we should be determining the fate of Iraq, but maybe we can resolve a lot of smaller conflicts like two children fighting over a chocolate bar," he said.

The top 500 competitors from around the world, including national champions from Australia, New Zealand and Norway, will compete in Toronto Saturday for a 10,000 Canadian dollars (8,835 US) prize and the title of world champion.

To win a round, players simply wave their fists while counting to three, and then make one of three hand signals: a fist (rock), flat hand (paper) or two fingers (scissors).

Rock breaks scissors, paper covers rock, scissors cut paper.

The game's origins are disputed because variations of it appear in almost every society.

But, a world governing body was founded in England in the mid-1800s and was moved to Toronto in 1918.

Its members decided then that post-World War I Britain had become "far too dangerous a place to make a suitable home country for a game of conflict resolution," according to the group's website.

In contrast, Canada was viewed as a "safe, hospitable and utterly inoffensive nation."

In 1925, the club briefly reached over 10,000 members and was renamed The World RPS Society.

It now boasts about 2,000 members and has held world championships since 2002.

"The game is often used now to determine who gets to sit in the front seat of a car or who has to get off the couch to get a beer. When you're married, it's used to decide who has to change the diapers," Walker explained.

But, it could be used to quickly settle countless other arguments, he said.

At this year's championships, vertical paper and horizontal scissors will not be tolerated because the two signs can be confused if not properly executed, he noted.

Some US players may also feel handicapped by the international rules which require three counts instead of two counts used in some American states. They will have to adjust their play, Walker said.

Otherwise, 16 referees will be on hand to settle any disputes, he said.


TOPICS: Australia/New Zealand; Culture/Society; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: rockpaperscissors
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1 posted on 11/13/2006 6:37:54 AM PST by presidio9
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To: presidio9

I'm speechless.....


2 posted on 11/13/2006 6:40:43 AM PST by Fighting Irish (My opinions have been forged by where I've walked - not by who I hear on the radio)
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To: presidio9

Isn't this happening about the same time as the World Coin Flipping Championships?


3 posted on 11/13/2006 6:42:25 AM PST by Dixie Yooper (Ephesians 6:11)
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To: presidio9

wow, this could really reduce our UN bill...


4 posted on 11/13/2006 6:43:04 AM PST by bigbob (2)
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To: presidio9

They were fighting with the 'thumb wrestling' world champions for the oddest post of the day. It turns out that rock beats thumb though so here we are. :)


5 posted on 11/13/2006 6:43:36 AM PST by kinoxi
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To: presidio9

The only thing I think would be better is the World Championship of Indian Poker.


6 posted on 11/13/2006 6:43:45 AM PST by Always Right
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To: presidio9

They have referees?


7 posted on 11/13/2006 6:44:53 AM PST by subterfuge (Tolerance has become the greatest virtue, and hypocrisy the worst character defect.)
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To: presidio9

Rock beats scissors. Don't run with rocks.


8 posted on 11/13/2006 6:47:42 AM PST by Mrs. Shawnlaw (No NAIS! And the USDA can bugger off, too!)
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To: Slings and Arrows; martin_fierro; Tijeras_Slim; finnman69; dead; Froufrou; Darksheare; Owl_Eagle; ..

FYI


9 posted on 11/13/2006 6:49:14 AM PST by presidio9 (Make Mohammed's day: Shoot a nun in the back.)
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To: presidio9

Why did not I aspire to this instead of wasting my youth on women and drugs?


10 posted on 11/13/2006 6:52:27 AM PST by woofie (creativity is destructive)
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To: woofie

11 posted on 11/13/2006 6:54:18 AM PST by presidio9 (Make Mohammed's day: Shoot a nun in the back.)
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To: Fighting Irish

When they outlaw Rock, paper, scissors, only outlaws will play Rock, paper, scissors.


12 posted on 11/13/2006 6:57:09 AM PST by farmer_1
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To: presidio9
Here is a link to the governing body of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
13 posted on 11/13/2006 6:58:44 AM PST by Sgt_Schultze
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To: Dixie Yooper

Yep, tonight on ESPN 8 "The Ocho"! It was also profiled in "Obscure Sports Quarterly".


14 posted on 11/13/2006 7:07:38 AM PST by Crolis (Time to regroup, fellow conservatives!)
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To: Crolis

This is what happens when poker becomes a sport.


15 posted on 11/13/2006 7:10:10 AM PST by Dixie Yooper (Ephesians 6:11)
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To: presidio9

Maybe the BCS can adopt this approach, it's just about as scientific as their current system.


16 posted on 11/13/2006 7:10:37 AM PST by dfwgator
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Are they allowed to run with the sissors in their hand?


17 posted on 11/13/2006 7:12:19 AM PST by Long Island Pete
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To: presidio9

What makes a good RSP player? Seems to me a little psychic ability would help.


18 posted on 11/13/2006 7:43:29 AM PST by dinoparty
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To: presidio9; Slings and Arrows; martin_fierro; Tijeras_Slim; finnman69; dead; Froufrou; Darksheare; ..
Judge Rules Dispute to Be Settled By 'Rock, Paper, Scissors' Match (this is not a parody)
19 posted on 11/13/2006 8:05:41 AM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: presidio9

And yeah, there's a league.

20 posted on 11/13/2006 8:07:40 AM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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