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How to win at rock-paper-scissors

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Re: How to win at rock-paper-scissors

#31
post #3

Interesting how the pattern "rock-paper-scissors" is followed. If this is because of the name, Swedish people, for example, would follow another patterns as they call the game "rock-scissors-paper" (Sten-sax-påse).

I never thought of that actually. In Dutch we say paper-rock-scissors (blad-steen-schaar).

I would have said "steen schaar papier" (rock scissors paper).

I guess, taken all over the world, most permutations show up.

Re: How to win at rock-paper-scissors

#33
post #20

>> What are your odds of winning rock-paper-scissors? Simple - one in three. At least, that's what chance predicts. I thought the chance of winning with no prior is 1/2... Otherwise, okay, you win with 1/3, your opponent wins with 1/3, and where is the other 1/3? :) I know what the article means, but they phrase is wrongly.

The odds are 1/3 win, 1/3 loss, 1/3 tie :)

Re: How to win at rock-paper-scissors

#34
post #3

Interesting how the pattern "rock-paper-scissors" is followed. If this is because of the name, Swedish people, for example, would follow another patterns as they call the game "rock-scissors-paper" (Sten-sax-påse).

I have this strategy to rearrange the order when I ask someone to play. For example I'd say "Hey, to settle our discussion, let's play scissor rock paper!" While pronouncing a little bit the last option. My opponent still caught off guard will more likely play the last option, in this example "Paper". The next time I will say "ok let's play rock paper scissors". And then I'll play Rock, haha. I don't know if it really works, but I was always good in this game. At least I think so ;)

Re: How to win at rock-paper-scissors

#35
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

in German it is "scissors-rock-paper" (Schere Stein Papier). I guess all combinations are possible...

Same in Chinese: 剪刀石头布: scissors stone cloth

in Cantonese, it is called 包剪揼, cover-scissors-hammer

Re: How to win at rock-paper-scissors

#36
post #9

"The game of rock-paper-scissors exhibits collective cyclic motions which cannot be understood by the Nash equilibrium concept." This is complete bullshit. It is well understood that if your opponent is not playing an optimum strategy, you can gain an advantage by shifting away from the Nash equillibrium yourself. Example: Image a player that always picks "Paper". By shifting away from a random choice (Nash optimum)…

>This is a common trick utilized in poker, where good players will apply a certain playing style, while placing smaller bets, let their opponent adjust to your style and then suddenly change to a more aggressive style. Pardon my ignorance of poker, but won't the opponent notice that you have suddenly raised the stake and that something could be afoot?

That is called multi-level thinking (http://www.thepokerbank.com/strategy/psychology/multiple-lev...)

Re: How to win at rock-paper-scissors

#37
post #9

"The game of rock-paper-scissors exhibits collective cyclic motions which cannot be understood by the Nash equilibrium concept." This is complete bullshit. It is well understood that if your opponent is not playing an optimum strategy, you can gain an advantage by shifting away from the Nash equillibrium yourself. Example: Image a player that always picks "Paper". By shifting away from a random choice (Nash optimum)…

>This is a common trick utilized in poker, where good players will apply a certain playing style, while placing smaller bets, let their opponent adjust to your style and then suddenly change to a more aggressive style. Pardon my ignorance of poker, but won't the opponent notice that you have suddenly raised the stake and that something could be afoot?

Yes, you're right.

In my opinion, the parent example was rather oversimplified. If a player started playing more aggressively, that would be an obvious 'tell'. Most opponents would recognise that they should play more conservatively until they figure out what's going on.

However, this strategy really just needs one sucker: if it works, it works.

Re: How to win at rock-paper-scissors

#38
There is a 'variant' in Japan where every players start with rock, and the game starts after this first move. It's a small variation (I think it was originally aimed to synchronize more easily), but it nills the effect described in the Article for each session.

Re: How to win at rock-paper-scissors

#39
There is a 'variant' in Japan where every players start with rock, and the game starts after this first move. It's a small variation (I think it was originally aimed to synchronize more easily), but it nills the effect described in the Article for each session.

Re: How to win at rock-paper-scissors

#40
Is it actually a 1/3 chance of winning though? Is that including a draw as a win?

I've tried coding it up here:

https://gist.github.com/andyhmltn/5c8c5734fe894db5aa02

Baring in mind it was a rushed 5 minute bodge-job so it could be wrong but there seems to be a massive skew towards draws

After more tests with this code it seems there's an 11% chance of winning if it's random. Baring in mind javascripts RNG

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