Overview
Three hand shapes, each beating one of the others. Usually used to settle who does the washing up, and played in organised competition too.
Source. Checked against the World Rock Paper Scissors Association's rules (v1.0, 2026). No single body governs rock paper scissors everywhere, so these are the WRPSA's rules for casual play, clubs and its own competitions. Most games between friends are less formal.
1. The throws
| Throw | Hand | Beats |
|---|---|---|
| Rock | Closed fist | Scissors |
| Paper | Flat open hand | Rock |
| Scissors | Two-finger V | Paper |
The same throw is a tie, and the round is replayed straight away. Ties don't count as wins, and there's no limit on replays.
2. Throwing
- Face each other with one hand in a loose fist at chest or waist height.
- The referee, or both players together, call "Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot!" Keep a closed fist through the count and show your shape on "Shoot".
- Opening early is a false start. Delaying to react to your opponent's shape is a late throw, and loses the round immediately.
- A throw must be clear and fully visible. Ambiguous shapes, hidden hands, props, gloves and extra gestures, including Lizard, Spock and "Dynamite", aren't legal in WRPSA competition.
Informal games often count differently, so agree the count before you start.
3. Match format
A standard match is best of three: first to win two rounds. Organisers may announce a longer, odd-numbered format for later rounds.
4. Fouls
| Foul | First time | Again |
|---|---|---|
| False start | Warning, replay the round | Lose the round |
| Late throw | Lose the round | Forfeit the match |
| Illegal throw | Lose the round (opponent may allow a replay) | Forfeit the match |
| Stalling | Warning | Lose the round |
| Unsportsmanlike conduct | Warning | Disqualification |
5. Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock
A popular five-throw variant, not legal in WRPSA competition. With five throws instead of three, each player picks the same throw one time in five, so ties happen less often: 1 in 5 instead of 1 in 3.
Commonly argued
- Throw on "Shoot", in the WRPSA rules. Agree the count at home.
- A late throw loses the round.
- A tie is replayed, and doesn't count toward the match.
- Best of three is the standard match.
- Lizard, Spock and Dynamite aren't legal in competition.
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