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 principles to 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.