The Official Rock Paper Scissors Strategy Guide (Paperback)

by Douglas Walker (Author), Graham Walker (Author) "Because Rock Paper Scissors, a game played primarily with one's mind and hands, leaves little tangible evidence, historians and anthropologists have left the game's historical..." (more)
Key Phrases: World Championships, Mirror Play, Deep Mauve (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Yes, Virginia, there is a world championship of that familiar childhood game (and that "most elegant and profound of all conflict-resolution processes," as the authors would have it). Rock Paper Scissors (RPS) and the Walker brothers aim to take you there. Beginning with a tongue-in-cheek history (ancient versions of the game, say the authors, included Japan’s Tiger, Warrior and Warrior’s Mother; Marco Polo ostensibly popularized Rock, Paper, Blade) and progressing through rules and proper hand positions (carefully illustrated by diagrams) and on to strategies and beyond, this faux-serious handbook divulges more information about the game than anyone would have thought possible. And RPS has its pleasures and uses beyond public championships and private decision-making, say the authors. They suggest adding spice to one’s love life by playing Strip RPS and teaching kids about probability through school-sponsored RPS clubs.
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Review
Sven Jorgensen, national Swedish RPS champion 2001-2003This book is every pro player's worst nightmare -- a compendium of the most powerful RPS strategies ever devised.

Simia Federico, Think Three magazineA triumph...at times I could barely believe what I was reading.

William Fong, noted RPS trainer and coachWhether your ambition is a world championship title or the last slice of pizza, this book will get you there.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Fireside (October 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743267516
• ISBN-13: 978-0743267519
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #147,486 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Never have to take out the garbage again!, October 16, 2004

By	BRAD FOX (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

I picked up "The Official Rock Paper Scissors Strategy Guide" last night and started flipping through it just before calling it a night. The next thing I knew it was well into the wee hours of the morning, and I still couldn't put it down. From the insightful introductory essay by RPS all-star Master Roshambolla (on whether the game qualifies as a "sport") to the encyclopaedic glossary at the end, the book was readable, funny, and always highly entertaining.

Clear (and humorous) photos and graphs keep the book moving at a lively pace when the text gets theoretical (or surreal) and the structure lends itself well to both cover-to-cover and "jump in and read a chapter at random" reading for those with shorter attention spans.

The Walker brothers have taken the same considerable wit, brain and charm they've used to reinvent the World Rock Paper Scissors Society into a media darling and directed it towards crafting a book that has something for the experienced RPS player and the novice alike (as well as giving the layperson an inkling of why thousands of iconoclasts from around the world converge on Canada every year for the "Dance of Hands" at the World Championships).

A must have for every Rock Paper Scissors game, club, or tournament - the insightful strategies and theories might not give you the edge to be the next world champion, but you may never again have to take out the garbage, or give up the last slice of pizza if you take its teachings to heart!

27 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quite literally, the essential guide to all things RPS, October 18, 2004

By	Kenneth L. Bromberg "aka Red Rock, the Boy Bo... (NYC, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I really cannot say enough good things about this book. This is without exaggeration, the definitive text for all things RPS, and is a must-own book for any RPS enthusiast, regardless of experience level. The books release could not be more timely, coming as it does during a huge surge in interest in RPS (thanks in large part to the co-authors of this book, Doug and Graham Walker, as well as the RPS community-at-large), and right around the 2004 International Championships in Toronto NY (congratulations to this years champ, Lee Rammage).

The state of the sport has never been more exciting. This text provides what I see as an essential and detailed view of todays fast-paced (and ever-expanding) world of Rock Paper Scissors, while remaining respectful to its rich history. Whether you are already aware of the highly rewarding activity that is Rock Paper Scissors, or are just thinking of starting on your journey towards more effective conflict resolution, this book is for you.

Kennyb
alltooflat.com

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Complicated, June 8, 2006

By	Bob "RNutz" (Ohio) - See all my reviews

I had to read through this book a few times, as it is quite complicated - I never really knew there was so much to RPS. I always assumed rock beats everything, but after my second or third reading I started to understand the intricacies of the game. I now choose paper everytime, and my winning rate has increased almost 1%