At last, a champion: Rock, Paper, Et Cetera.
'Rock, paper, etc' (rpe) takes luck out of the game 'rock, paper, scissors' (rps). It introduces reason and strategy into an otherwise asinine craps-shoot. Gamblers and the weak-minded rely on luck. Winners make their luck.
RPE allows for real-time strategic adaptation and a micro-evolution of game-play within each individual game. Please understand that RPE fosters a healthful psychological openness; the more you play your enemy, the better you will know him. It has been said that you should "Keep your friends close, and you enemies even closer." RPE can help you do just that.
Rock, Paper, Et Cetera Rules:
RPE has a succinct set of rules that can easily be incorporated into your current RPS gameplay:
- Two players.
- To determine who goes first, you flip a coin.
- The winner of the coin toss is allowed to "shoot" first. Their opponent is given an indefinite amount of time to consider how they want to counter the first move.
- Since the players do not "shoot" at the same time, the question becomes: Should one try to win or LOSE the coin toss?
- There are 4 possible weapons that can be used in RPE:
- Rock: (which is still represented by the "rock" signal of RPS).
- Paper: (which is still represented by the "paper" signal of RPS).
- Anything in the world: (which is still represented by an improvisational signal of your choice).
- Etc.: (which is still represented by the "scissors" signal of RPS).
- Here is the breakdown of "Which weapon defeats which other weapon?":
- Rock beats certain weapons chosen from the set "Anything in the world."
- Paper beats certain weapons chosen from the set "Anything in the world."
- "Anything in the world" can encompass many things, and may beat rock and paper - this depends on the item chosen
- "Anything in the world" can be just that: Any strategic item that a RPE competitor thinks would be difficult to counter. You could feasibly throw: a pie chart, argon, a free range chicken breast, or a chainsaw. The idea is that "anything in the world" introduces an element of subjectivity and consequently healthy debate; far more effective in resolving disagreements. This is the whole goal of RPE.
- "Etc." beats everything.
- Etc Cetera encompasses the set containing everything in existence.
- Etc. cannot tie etc!!!
- If the first shooter throws etc. and then the second shooter also throws etc., it is a tie, and must resolved with a game of 'Eenie, meenie, mynee, mo'.
- This round of 'Eenie, meenie, mynee, mo' must be administered by an impartial 3rd party.
- If the first shooter throws a triple-crown winning thoroughbred steed, and the 2nd shooter throws an Etc., the 2nd shooter wins hands-down.
- The complexity introduced by 'Etc.' shapes people's strategies in an interesting way. Some people never throw it in fear of losing the 'Eenie, meenie, mynee, mo' match. Some only throw Etc. This is just another example of how a RPE participant's personality can come forth in this game.
- Etc. is an abbreviation that stands for the Latin Et Cetera. ("Et-Set-Ur-Ah). NOT ECK-SETTERA!!!
- One match has four rounds
- Whoever wins the 2 out of 4 rounds wins the match.
- In the event of a tie, the game is decided with a game of pencil-break.
- The game can be condensed into merely "Rock, Paper'; an endurance game.
"It just makes sense"
After reading through the rules of RPE, you probably realize how much more effective it is then RPS. Please give it a try! If you want to spread the word, you can visit our links page. We would be much obliged if you put a banner or link on your website.
Peace