It’s summer, my friends.
Time for a little fun.
Watch my latest video commentary or read below:
I’ve never been to Vegas. It’s not that I dislike it. I’ve just never made the trip.
Now, I’m tempted.
Next weekend is the third annual USARPS League Championship Tournament.
You know, the USA Rock Paper Scissors League.
And yes, we are talking about the kids’ game where you pound your fist on your palm three times, then make either rock, paper or scissors.
I kid you not, my cyberspace friends. I don’t know what’s funnier — that there’s a Rock Paper Scissors League or that the league has a championship tournament in Vegas.
Here is a bit from the league about the upcoming tournament: “More than 300 RPS athletes representing all corners of America will descent on Las Vegas … in the hopes of roshamboing their way to the $50,000 grand prize.”
You heard right — $50,000 goes to the winner.
But wait, there’s more.
The winner will also be flown to Beijing later this summer to represent the U.S. Apparently, the U.S. winner will square off against folks from Ireland, Canada, Hong Kong and Guam in the International Rock Paper Scissors Federation Championship.
The best part of this whole story is that competitors are known to wear crazy costumes in hopes of psyching out their competition. Some have dressed as warriors. Others have dressed as cavemen.
Honestly, this might be a strategy that other sports should think about adopting. What if Kobe Bryant showed up with warrior paint all over his face? Or if Tiger Woods wore only a loin cloth the next time he played? If it works for Rock Paper Scissors players, it would surely work for them.
And according to the World Rock Paper Scissors Society, there are actually strategies and techniques. They even have terms for them. One is blocking. That means you hold back a throw of paper until the last possible moment duping your opponent into believing you’re throwing a rock.
Ha! And you thought Rock Paper Scissors was just some kids game!
The USARPS League Championship hits Vegas next weekend.
Eat your heart out, Wayne Newton.