The 27 Gambits of Rock Paper Scissors
There are exactly 27 possible three-throw sequences. Every single one has a name. We are not kidding.
What Is a Gambit, and Why Should You Care?
In competitive Rock Paper Scissors, a gambit is a pre-planned sequence of three throws. Since each throw has three options, there are exactly 3 cubed = 27 possible combinations. The WRPSA has named every last one of them, because when you take something seriously, you name things.
Why use a gambit? Because deciding your throws in advance removes hesitation, eliminates emotional decision-making, and reduces the physical tells that give you away. You walk in with a plan. The plan might be terrible. But at least you have one.
Rock-Lead Gambits
| Gambit | Sequence | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Avalanche | R-R-R | Three rocks. Bold. Unhinged. Occasionally devastating. |
| Bureaucrat | R-R-P | Two rocks then a pivot. Baits opponents into throwing paper too early. |
| Toolbox | R-R-S | Double rock into scissors. Punishes the opponent who "knows" you'll switch to paper. |
| Fistful O' Dollars | R-P-R | Alternating and unpredictable. Named after the Clint Eastwood film, which is fitting. |
| Paper Dolls | R-P-P | Rocky start, papery finish. Strong against scissors-happy opponents. |
| Scissor Sandwich | R-P-S | One of each. The "I'm going to show you my entire hand" gambit. |
| Denouement | R-S-R | Bookend rocks with a scissors surprise. Very dramatic. Very French-sounding. |
| Crescendo | R-S-P | Reverse cycle. Defies the natural order. Some people just want to watch the world burn. |
| Scissor Storm | R-S-S | Rock opener then double scissors. Targets anyone throwing too much paper. |
Paper-Lead Gambits
| Gambit | Sequence | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paper Plane | P-R-R | Paper opener into double rock. Punishes anyone who expects you to keep papering. |
| Switcheroo | P-R-P | Paper bookends with a rock in the middle. Confusing by design. |
| Reverse Crescendo | P-R-S | Full descending cycle. Clean. Efficient. Hard to read. |
| Bureaucrat's Revenge | P-P-R | Double paper then a rock hammer. For when the paperwork is done and it's time to get physical. |
| Pac-Man | P-P-P | Triple paper. Wildly underrated. Nobody expects three in a row. |
| Backstab | P-P-S | Two papers then scissors. A trap so classic it should be in a museum. |
| Scissor Salute | P-S-R | Forward cycle. Natural. Flowing. Like a river of hand gestures. |
| Scissor Surprise | P-S-P | Paper bookends with scissors. Mixes calm with aggression. |
| Falling Scissors | P-S-S | Paper into double scissors. An aggressive pivot that says "I changed my mind." |
Scissors-Lead Gambits
| Gambit | Sequence | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rocket | S-R-R | Scissors feint into double rock. Strong against pattern readers. |
| Handshake | S-R-P | Full forward cycle starting with scissors. A very polite gambit name for a competitive situation. |
| Hedge Clipper | S-R-S | Scissors bookends with rock. Unpredictable rhythm. |
| Piggyback | S-P-R | Full reverse cycle. You're going backwards through the alphabet of throws. |
| Mime | S-P-P | Scissors into double paper. Silent. Deadly. Appropriately named. |
| Scissor Storm | S-P-S | Scissors bookends with paper. A storm with a calm eye in the middle. |
| Blunt Scissors | S-S-R | Double scissors then rock. Sets up a pattern and immediately breaks it. |
| Cyclone | S-S-P | Double scissors into paper. Targets rock-heavy opponents. |
| Buzzsaw | S-S-S | Triple scissors. Pure aggression. Terrifying when it works. Embarrassing when it doesn't. |
Choosing Your Gambit
The right gambit depends on who you're facing and how much you enjoy risk:
- Against beginners: Lead with Rock. Statistically, novice players throw Scissors most often on their first throw. It's called "freshman scissors" and it's very real.
- Against experienced players: Avoid obvious openers. Paper-lead gambits like Pac-Man or Backstab work well because veterans expect Rock or Scissors.
- In a best-of-five: Front-load something aggressive (Avalanche, Buzzsaw) to establish psychological dominance, then pivot later.
- When you're behind: Pick a gambit that doesn't repeat previous throws. Your opponent is tracking your patterns, so give them bad data.
Beyond the Gambit
Gambits are a framework, not a religion. Elite players adapt mid-sequence based on reads, combine gambits with bluffing techniques, and use psychological principlesto sell their sequence convincingly. The best gambit is the one your opponent doesn't see coming. The second-best gambit is the one you actually committed to instead of panicking mid-throw.