Rock Paper Scissors

How to play Rock Paper Scissors

Rock Paper Scissors is a hand game for two players. On a count of three, each player forms one of three shapes. The winner is decided by a simple cycle where every shape beats one other shape and loses to the third:

• Rock crushes scissors>
• Paper covers rock>
• Scissors cuts paper>

If both players choose the same shape, the round is a tie and is replayed. Keep playing as many rounds as you like - your wins, losses, draws, and win streak are tracked above.

Winning strategy and tips

Because the game is symmetric, you cannot beat a perfectly random opponent more than a third of the time. The edge comes from exploiting human tendencies:

• Players who just lost tend to switch to the move that would have beaten them. Anticipate the switch.
• Players who just won often repeat the winning move. Counter the repeat.
• Beginners open with rock surprisingly often, so paper is a safe first throw against newcomers.
• To stay unreadable yourself, mix your throws as randomly as you can - avoid streaks and obvious patterns.

AI difficulty levels

Choose how hard the computer plays. Each level changes how the AI decides its move:

• Easy - throws completely at random. Great for a relaxed, luck-based game.
• Medium - tracks how often you play each shape and counters your favourite.
• Hard - builds a Markov model of which move you tend to play after each move, predicts your next throw, and plays the counter.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Rock Paper Scissors?

Both players reveal a hand shape at the same time: rock, paper, or scissors. Rock crushes scissors, scissors cut paper, and paper covers rock. Identical choices are a draw and the round is replayed.

Is Rock Paper Scissors a game of luck or skill?

Against a truly random opponent each move wins one third of the time, so it is pure chance. But people are not random - they fall into patterns - so reading and predicting an opponent turns it into a game of skill.

What is the best move to start with?

Statistically, rock is the most common opening among casual players, so leading with paper is a popular counter. Experienced players randomise their first move to avoid being read.

Can I play Rock Paper Scissors against the computer?

Yes. Pick Easy for a random opponent, Medium to face an AI that counters your most-used move, or Hard to play a Markov-model AI that predicts your next move from your patterns.

Is this Rock Paper Scissors game free?

Completely free. There is no signup, no download, and no payment - it runs instantly in your web browser on desktop and mobile.

Can I play Rock Paper Scissors with a friend online?

Online multiplayer with a shareable invite link is on the roadmap. For now you can play unlimited rounds against the AI on three difficulty levels.