Rock Paper Scissors (RPS) is a globally recognized hand game, used for everything from settling minor disputes to making crucial decisions. While the objective—outsmarting your opponent with rock, paper, or scissors—seems simple, the nuances of how we initiate each round are surprisingly complex and regionally diverse. This isn’t about Rock Paper Scissors strategy to win; you can find plenty of resources, both academic and popular, dedicated to mastering that aspect. Instead, let’s delve into the fascinating variations in the “priming” or count-off rituals that precede the throw in Rock Paper Scissors, specifically focusing on the great “shoot” debate.
For a game so universally understood and utilized—even in legal settings and sports like soccer kick-offs—the lack of consensus on the correct countdown is remarkable. This pre-throw count-off, known as “priming,” culminates in the “delivery” or the throw itself. Believe it or not, in the competitive world of Rock Paper Scissors, priming is a serious business. However, in casual play, priming methods vary widely, largely depending on geographic location and cultural norms.
The Great Rock Paper Scissors Count-Off Debate
Recently, a lighthearted office discussion highlighted just how much these regional differences can lead to confusion, even among colleagues. The catalyst? A shared amusement over Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni using Rock Paper Scissors as an unconventional method to assess potential NFL draftees. This sparked a debate about personal Rock Paper Scissors etiquette, revealing a surprising division within the team. The author confessed to using a five-count priming method: “rock, paper, scissors says shoot,” a practice met with bewilderment and good-natured mockery by coworkers who adhered to shorter counts. This humorous clash underscored a fundamental truth: even in a simple game like Rock Paper Scissors, unstated rules and regional customs can create surprising divides.
This experience prompted a deeper look into the origins of Rock Paper Scissors, tracing its roots back to sansukumi-ken, a family of Japanese games described as “ken (fist) games where ‘the three who are afraid of one another.'” Wikipedia reveals that the earliest Japanese iteration, mushi-ken, originating from China, featured a frog, slug, and snake, with a somewhat perplexing hierarchy:
The earliest Japanese sansukumi-ken game was known as mushi-ken (虫拳), which was imported directly from China. In mushi-ken the “frog” (represented by the thumb) triumphs over the “slug” (represented by the little finger), which, in turn prevails over the “snake” (represented by the index finger), which triumphs over the “frog”.
While the frog-slug-snake dynamic might seem illogical to modern RPS players, the core concept of cyclical dominance remains. Rock Paper Scissors simplifies this to rock, paper, and scissors, a more intuitive and globally adopted version. Interestingly, variations persist even today. Consider the Indonesian game suten:
the game is called suten, suit or just sut, and the three signs are elephant (slightly raised thumb), human (outstreched index finger) and ant (outstreched pinky finger). Elephant is stronger than human, human is stronger than ant, but elephant is afraid of the ant.
Wikipedia
Priming Techniques: Three-Count, Four-Count, and the “Says Shoot” Enigma
Beyond the hand signs themselves, the rhythm and wording of the countdown are where significant regional variations emerge in Rock Paper Scissors. The primary function of “priming” is to ensure fair play, preventing players, especially children, from cheating by delaying their throw to anticipate their opponent’s move. However, beyond this shared purpose, priming traditions diverge considerably.
The office chat excerpt vividly illustrates this point:
Wags: if you both do it on “shoot” you can’t really hold off imowe should have a RPS tourney one daywhen we’re back in an office
Barry Petchesky: let’s do it over slack
Luis Paez-Pumar: RPS over zoom
Barry Petchesky: rock paper scissors saysSHOOTi played rock
Luis Paez-Pumar: SAYS???
Wags: says?????
Luis Paez-Pumar: What the fuck Barry
Barry Petchesky: yeah rock paper scissors says shoot
Luis Paez-Pumar: No.
Wags: no
Barry Petchesky: you assholes
Luis Paez-Pumar: What.No.
Wags: barry
Luis Paez-Pumar: It’s just Rock Paper Scissors shoot
Wags: yes
Luis Paez-Pumar: This mf said says
Maitreyi Anantharaman: says???lmao
Wags: this mf!!!
Maitreyi Anantharaman: i am doing a real life lol at “says”
Tom Ley: barry is in mf mode
Barry Petchesky: what the hell
giri: barry learned the game from mr. rock paperscissors
Tom Ley: barry went mf mode and said says!!!!!!!
Albert Burneko: i’ve def never heard “says”
Luis Paez-Pumar: Barry’s in the slack room showing says
Samer: i’ve heard a word between “scissors” and “shoot” but i didn’t realize it was “says”i thought it was like a tic or something
Kalyn Kahler: its SHOOTonly shoot
Maitreyi Anantharaman: what does this even mean barry, am i to believe a rock, paper and pair of scissors are saying “shoot”??
Kalyn Kahler: i was going to askwho is the narrator here
giri: if that were the case maitreyi this mf can’t manage subject-verb agreement
Maitreyi Anantharaman: Rock, paper! Scissors says, “Shoot.”
Wags: drag his ass
Albert Burneko: maybe it’s like a Holy Trinity type of deal, where they’re a triune figure
giri: mr. rock paperscissors up on 12th st
Maitreyi Anantharaman: the father, the son and the holy scissors
Drew: This is Barry’s duck duck grey duck
Kelsey McKinney: SAYS?
This humorous exchange highlights the strong reactions to the “says shoot” variation. Despite the ribbing, the author stood firm, citing a lifelong adherence to the “says” tradition. A Twitter poll confirmed the minority status of “says shoot,” but also validated its existence with a non-negligible 12% of respondents endorsing it.
Regional Variations in Rock Paper Scissors Priming
Indeed, priming styles are often geographically determined. The three-count method, with the throw on “scissors” (“rock, paper, scissors!”), is prevalent in much of the Western United States. The four-count method (“rock, paper, scissors, shoot!”), with the throw on “shoot,” dominates the populous Northeast. Within the Northeast, a smaller pocket, primarily New York City and Long Island, favors the five-count “says shoot” version. A Cornell University professor’s blog post for a course on human networks briefly touches upon this regional variation.
While geographically limited, the “says shoot” method is defended as rhythmically superior, creating a more dramatic pause before the throw. The analogy to musical timing, with a four-count intro leading to a fifth-beat downbeat, is used to support this claim. However, even proponents acknowledge its uncommonness, as evidenced by online discussions about Rock Paper Scissors etiquette.
What is the “Correct” Rock Paper Scissors Count?
The question of the “correct” Rock Paper Scissors priming method is surprisingly contentious. The World Rock Paper Scissors Society (WRPS) has attempted to standardize the rules for international competitions, mandating the four-count “rock, paper, scissors, shoot,” with the throw occurring on “shoot.” This standard is visible in WRPS sanctioned tournaments.
However, in less formal settings, particularly in the United States, the faster three-count method remains widespread. This illustrates a cultural stubbornness, where established local customs often outweigh international standards.
Rock Paper Scissors Rules: Key Takeaways
Navigating the world of Rock Paper Scissors priming reveals a few essential lessons:
- Rule Clarity is Key: Always agree on the priming method before starting a game to avoid confusion and ensure fair play. Don’t assume your opponent shares your Rock Paper Scissors rules.
- “Says Shoot” is Valid (Even if Uncommon): Despite its regional limitations and the skepticism of some, the “rock paper scissors says shoot” method is a legitimate variation with its own adherents.
- “Roshambo” is a Different Game: While related, “Roshambo” is sometimes used interchangeably but can refer to different hand games. For purists, sticking to “Rock Paper Scissors” is recommended to avoid further ambiguity.
Ultimately, the beauty of Rock Paper Scissors lies in its simplicity and adaptability. Whether you prefer a three-count, four-count, or even “says shoot,” the core gameplay remains the same, offering a quick and engaging way to resolve disputes and make decisions across cultures and regions.
