Rock, Paper, Scissors and Win $50,000
Filed under the category of “now-I’ve-seen-everything” is the annual Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament. The unbelievable took place over the past weekend (5/13/07 - 5/14/07) in Las Vegas where 300 regional finalists from across the nation competed in the popular school yard game for a grand prize of $50,000. Yes, your eyes do not deceive you — the grand prize was $50,000 for a game best known for resolving minor disputes, and this year Jamie Langridge was the best of them all!
Not that such a tournament needs explanation but since you’re completely stunned at the moment, allow me to explain how he tournament was conducted:
Players compete against one another round after round with the best two out of three winning the round and advancing. The loser is eliminated and hangs his head in shame for taking such a simplistic game so seriously. If that was too simple, you can review the complete “official” rules at the USARPS web-site.
I was completely aghast when I first heard of the tournament — what next a one-potato two-potato tournament? As I learned more, however, I became increasingly amused. They have an official league, a sponsor, and official USARPS “hotties.” That’s right, equaling the beauty of a swimsuit model, the USARPS has their own assortment of “eye-candy” in obvious hopes of raising the game to a higher level.
No doubt the game has come a long way from when I first played it. Of course, in Hawaii (where I was raised) the game wasn’t called rock-paper-scissors — we called it, Janken-pon (but it sounded more like we were saying “Junk and a po”). The game was based on three beats instead of four. In the traditional RPS, people chant “rock, paper, scissors, shoot.” On the “shoot” part of the chant players “throw” the hand symbol for rock, paper, or scissors. In the version we played in Hawaii players chant “Jan, ken, pon.” On the “pon” players “throw” the hand symbol for rock, paper, or scissors. Most certainly the difference in game rhythm befuddled competitors from Hawaii because I could find no representation from the Aloha State at the recent tournament. Good thing too because in Hawaii, if you wanted to ensure a Janken-pon win, you could always “throw” dynamite (probably NOT in the official RPS rule book). That’s a single a fist with a single finger sticking out, and no, it’s not the middle finger.
Congratulations Jamie for an amazing win in an equally amazingly stupid tournament.
Barry’s 2-Cents:
I caught the ad for this on TV the other night and couldn’t believe it. I figured it must be some “let’s act stupid for charity” event and just kept on channel surfing. Needless to say that I did not program my VCR to film the telecast.
I used to think that the televised variety shows of the 60’s and 70’s were bad, but now I’m certain that Hee-Haw is of a higher caliber than the Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament farce. As for what’s next, perhaps Celebrity Musical Chairs using Billboard’s Top 10 singles for the music. Save us Chuck Barris and bring back the Gong Show!
Technorati Tags: Rock, Paper, Scissors, Jamie Langridge, USARPS, Janken-pon
on May 23rd, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Eh! Tanks fo da memories of “Junk and a po”. Dat dynamite must have been a Kaiser High ting, cuz I nevah when use em at Pearl City or Radford.
Anyway, Mahalo again and hang loose brah!
on May 25th, 2007 at 5:12 am
I guess dynamite was region specific; however, I do believe that “go foam” was universal to most surf spots.
on May 25th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
I caught the first news of the tournament on local magazine TV program. Although one would think it didn’t take training or skill, to hear of a “senior” devoting alot of time to it, it was inspiring to hear of the elderly keeping alert mentally. And seeing the smiles!