According to Richard Cook of University College London, our brain can’t resist the urge to imitate others. When we choose rock, paper or scissors, our selection is often tainted by those around us.
If you close your eyes, though, you will gesture first and often win the round. Sighted players will gesture 200 milliseconds after their blindfolded counterparts and may be influenced by others. Cook tested this theory on 45 adults who played the classic child’s game for experiment sake. [New Scientist; Shutterstock/Bradipoo]
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villainsoft
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 3:17 PMNot a “sure-fire” way to win, but definately tips the odds in your favour.
B
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 3:26 PMMake sure you quickly open your eyes afterwards or they will change what they’ve gone for and beat you every time ;)
vanOorsome
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 3:27 PMIf two players close their eyes does the universe implode?
Rob
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 3:53 PMIf you’re blindfolded, and playing rock paper scissors…. your opponent would probably just look at what you throw and change their selection to beat you. And since you’re blindfolded, you’d be oblivious… and losing the game :)
kevin
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 4:02 PMThat’s why you need a third person there to act as an adjudicator.
Shane
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 3:59 PMRob – Obviously you open your eyes the instant you throw your selection.
Mr Biggles
Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 7:51 AMStill wearing your blindfold too, I see.
Scott
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 9:08 PMI have always found if you can increase your odds if you always do what your opponent last did or what would lose to your opponents last gesture
Jamie Carl
Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 10:14 AMI thought the game was called Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock?
None
Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 12:04 PMSchroedinger would throw out all 3 at once until you opened your eyes to see what he had.