About this rock paper scissors game
Rock paper scissors is the classic hand game for settling small disputes: rock crushes scissors, scissors cut paper, and paper covers rock. Against a perfectly random opponent, every choice wins, loses, and ties exactly a third of the time. Humans are not random, though, and tend to repeat favorite moves or follow patterns, which the harder computer opponents exploit: medium plays whatever beats your most common move, and hard looks at what you usually choose after your last move. The easy level and the random-move mode use your browser’s secure random generator, so they cannot be predicted or gamed.
How to play
- Pick a difficulty. Choose easy, medium, or hard, or press a quick-start button.
- Choose your move. Select rock, paper, or scissors.
- Press Play now. See both moves and who won, then play again. The scoreboard keeps count until you leave the page.
Frequently asked questions
What beats what?
Rock beats scissors, scissors beat paper, and paper beats rock. If both players choose the same move, it is a tie.
Is there a winning strategy?
Against a truly random opponent, no: every move wins one time in three. Against people, watching for repeated moves and patterns can give an edge.
How does the hard computer play?
It remembers your moves and plays what beats the move you most often make after your previous one. Mixing up your choices randomly is the best defense.
Can the computer cheat?
No. It chooses its move from your earlier moves only, never from the move you are about to play, and on easy it is completely random.
What is the random move mode for?
It gives a single fair pick, handy when two people want to play but only one has a phone, or when you just need a random choice.