[ad_1] Rock Paper Scissors, or RPS as it’s commonly known, is a game that has been played for centuries, but it’s evolution into an international sport is a relatively recent phenomenon. Today, RPS is played competitively across the world, with the World RPS Championships drawing players from all corners of the globe.

The game is simple. Players make a fist with one hand, and then on the count of three, simultaneously reveal either rock, paper, or scissors. The object is to choose the option that beats your opponent’s choice. Rock beats scissors, scissors beat paper, and paper beats rock. Simple, right? But when played competitively, the game can become highly strategic.

The first documented evidence of RPS comes from Japan in the 19th century, where it was known as janken. From there, the game spread across Asia, becoming a popular pastime in countries such as China and Korea. In the 20th century, RPS made its way to the West and became a popular game for children.

The move towards competitive RPS came in the 1990s, when a group of students at the University of California, Berkeley started holding tournaments. These early competitions were mainly just for fun, but they sparked interest in the wider community and laid the foundations for future developments. In 2002, the first official World RPS Championships were held in Toronto, Canada, and the sport hasn’t looked back since.

Since then, the game has evolved, with players and organizations developing more complex strategies, tactics, and even jargon. The game now has its own set of rules and regulations, with different tournaments employing different formats and styles of play.

The World RPS Society, which was founded in 2002, has been instrumental in promoting and organizing competitive RPS events. The Society has helped to establish a standardized set of rules for the game, including guidelines for hand gestures and referees. They have also developed their own scoring system, which takes into account not only wins and losses, but also the strategies used by players during the game.

Today, the World RPS Championship is one of the oldest and most prestigious RPS events, attracting players from all over the world. The tournament has a knockout format, with players battling it out in three rounds of best-of-three games. The winner is crowned the World RPS Champion and earns bragging rights and a cash prize.

While some may dismiss competitive RPS as a silly pastime, there is no denying the skill and tactics involved in becoming a successful player. The sport has a growing following and has been recognized by some as a legitimate form of international competition.

From humble beginnings as a childhood game, RPS has evolved into a global sport with its own set of rules, tactics, and champions. Who knows where it will go next? Perhaps we’ll see RPS included in the Olympics someday, as some have suggested. Whatever the future holds, one thing is certain: this simple game has come a long way.[ad_2]