Rock Paper Scissors (RPS) is one of the simplest games. The rules are easy to learn and anyone can play it. Although it is a game played mostly by children for fun, there are some people for whom RPS is a serious sport. But isn’t RPS purely a game of luck? Not according to the experts. In fact, there are numerous strategies that can be used to increase our chances of winning. Evidently, it all comes down to human psychology. Most RPS players use patterns of “throws” without realizing it. For example, people throw rocks more often when they are mad, and throw scissors more often when they are winning. After playing many rounds, your opponent’s individual pattern of throws becomes quite obvious. Also, if you watch your opponent’s hand carefully, you may be able to tell what he plans to throw. Of course, advanced players will try to deceive their opponents. Players who try to use purely random throws rarely win because they end up becoming predictable in the end. If all else fails, there are conventional “mind games” that you can play to give you an edge, such as laughing when you are winning or yawning when you are losing. By annoying your opponent in this way, you may be able to break his concentration and gain a significant advantage. Above all, remember that if you want to win at RPS, you have to practice frequently. If you get good enough, you could even win a medal at the next World RPS Championship.