Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Mathematics/2019 October 20

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October 20

3-way RPS

I recently saw a 3-way version of rock-paper-scissors being played. The rules were unspecified but presumably, the only winning situation is one player having a hand gesture that defeats both of the others. Under these rules, the computer player mentioned in the rock-paper-scissors article will never win against a pair of players where one goes first and the other waits for the computer's reaction. The computer would have to wait for both to go, but it's also in their interests for them to wait for the computer to go. Likewise, the computer is unable to do this if another opponent is the same computer player, as both would react around the same time. The players I saw were evidently not deterred by the possibility of a Mexican standoff in this situation.--Jasper Deng (talk) 17:52, 20 October 2019 (UTC)

If one human player goes first, then the second player can force a tie by playing either of the 2 options the first player doesn't choose. The computer then has to play the final option to avoid losing to either of the 2 humans. This game only works if the 2 humans have to play at the same time. Iffy★Chat -- 18:16, 20 October 2019 (UTC)