Rock Paper Scissors, or Roshambo, might seem like a simple game of chance, but for skateboarders, it holds a surprising amount of significance. Whether you’re deciding who gets the first run at a new spot, or most importantly, who gets to go first in a game of SKATE, a strong Rock Paper Scissors strategy can be a game-changer. While the outcome of a SKATE match isn’t solely determined by who wins the initial Roshambo, going first can provide a crucial advantage.
The importance of this seemingly trivial game becomes apparent when examining professional SKATE competitions like the Battle at the Berrics (BATB). Data from BATB 7: Pros vs. Joes reveals that the player who wins the Rock Paper Scissors match goes on to win the game of SKATE 55% of the time. This 5% edge might seem minor, but closer inspection reveals how critical this initial advantage is.
Consider Luan Oliveira’s journey to the finals in one BATB competition. In his first match, he lost the RPS and quickly found himself down four letters before getting a chance to set a trick. However, after that, he didn’t miss, and went on to win. In his next match, he won the RPS and swiftly demolished his opponent. Conversely, in the finals, Luan lost the RPS and subsequently got skunked. Sewa Kroetev in another BATB final won the initial RPS and the entire game of SKATE without ever missing a trick. These examples demonstrate that with a strong arsenal of tricks, winning RPS is a significant advantage in a game of SKATE.
The History of the Fist Fight
To understand how to become a master of this art, it’s helpful to know the game’s origins. The game can be traced back to China during the Han dynasty when they played a game called Frog Slug Snake. Over 17 centuries, this game evolved into what the Japanese call Janken, which utilizes the same hand symbols we use today.
While many variations of the game exist today, the basic principle remains the same: rock beats scissors, scissors beats paper, and paper beats rock. In a completely random world, each option would win 33.33333% of the time. However, humans are not random. There are ways to manipulate the game to your advantage by exploiting your opponent’s weaknesses.
Psychological Warfare in Rock Paper Scissors
Real Rock Paper Scissors pros know that there are both physical and psychological tactics to use to gain an edge. Let’s explore some of those:
Psych Outs
There are no rules against intimidation or trash talk in Rock Paper Scissors. Use every tool at your disposal to get into your opponent’s head. Before the match, shake their hand, and casually mention how soft it is, implying they might be a paper player. During the match, yell out “scissors” while throwing something else. The key is to distract them and capitalize on their loss of focus.
Stare Down the Hands
Engineers in Japan have created an unbeatable RPS machine that can predict hand movements. While humans can’t react as quickly, trying to mimic this approach can be beneficial. Rock is often the easiest to spot as the player’s hand usually stays clenched, potentially giving you time to adapt and react. To hide your own tells, try faking one throw before quickly switching to another at the last second.
Personality Analysis
Consider the personality of your opponent when choosing your hand. Are they aggressive? They may be inclined to go with rock. Are they light on their feet and flowy? Perhaps they’ll go with paper. If they are the filmer, expect scissors. Paper is statistically the least played hand, so a non-conformist might favor that.
Be Unpredictable
The real essence of RPS is psychological warfare. You must understand your opponent to win. If you become predictable, your opponent will easily exploit that weakness. Avoid personal predictability while also trying to figure out their tendencies.
See the Patterns
If you are playing multiple rounds with the same person, track their tendencies. Often winners will repeat their winning hand while losers will shift to the hand that defeated them. Knowing this, you should switch to the next hand in the sequence (R → P → S → R …). While not always conclusive, this is a valuable tool to have in your arsenal.
The Art of Silence
In conclusion, this information should be kept quiet. The more skilled your opponent is at the art of Rock Paper Scissors, the more skilled you will need to be to maintain the edge. Keep this information close to your chest to maintain the upper hand. May your future games be ever in your favor.
Words: CK
Header illustration: Walker Miller
