[ad_1] Professional rock-paper-scissors, or RPS, may seem like a silly game typically played among children, but for those in the know, it’s a thriving industry of high-stakes competition. With professional RPS leagues, national and international championships, and even sponsorships, the game has come a long way from its playground origins.

For those unfamiliar with the rules, RPS is a game played between two people where each person simultaneously makes a hand gesture representing rock (closed fist), paper (open hand), or scissors (index and middle fingers extended and separated). The winner is determined by a set of predetermined rules where rock beats scissors, scissors beat paper, and paper beats rock.

Professional tournaments take this simple game to a whole new level. Players must have quick reflexes, strategic thinking, and a bit of mind-reading skills to predict their opponent’s moves. The tournaments usually have a ruleset agreed upon by the players beforehand to avoid confusion and discrepancies.

In 2002, the World RPS Society was established in Toronto, Canada, with the objective of promoting and governing the game worldwide. Since then, professional RPS has grown exponentially, with organizations and competitions established in countries such as the US, the UK, Australia, and Japan. These competitions have increasingly high stakes, with prizes ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars and even sponsorships from companies like Bud Light and McDonald’s.

National and international championships are held annually, attracting thousands of spectators and participants. The Rock Paper Scissors Society in the UK hosts the UK RPS Championship, while the USA RPS League holds the US National RPS Championships. The winners of these championships then go on to compete at the World RPS Championships.

The world championship, held in Toronto, is the most prestigious and competitive RPS tournament in the world. The championship brags a cash prize of $7,000 and attracts competitors from all over the globe. The event has players compete in a best-of-one match, with the winner progressing through the knockout stages until the final.

Professional RPS has continued to thrive, with more players and sponsors getting involved in the game each year. And while it may appear to be a simple game, the level of strategy and skill involved make it a compelling and thrilling competition to watch. With this rise in popularity, it’s clear that RPS is no longer just a game for kids.[ad_2]