Unoffical Throwing Options - Anyone seen this?

[Two Throw Tim]

Hi Martin, thanks for responding. I have found much of your commentary on these forums intelligent and well written and feel that like me you are someone like me who takes the game seriously rather than just as an excuse to get drunk and put on some tights. I completely agree with you on mirror play it brings a lot of tension and excitement to the game as well as providing opportunities for skill to show through. Just last night I lost a set to my seven year old son after we mirrored each other for five consecutive throws. The excitement in that match and his joy in winning was a wonderful moment that for me captured the essence of what makes scissors paper rock so great. His success in beating me also showed how much he has progressed in his training recently. Most kids are very predictable while he has now elevated his playing to the next level and is capable of taking competent players by surprise with almost prescient timing. Interestingly enough he has trained heavily in RPS 25, this was his own decision and it is because of him that I have played the game as much as I have. Initially like most people here I was highly skeptical of the format. Through my son I have learnt to look at the art of paper scissors rock with fresh eyes and to stop placing artificial limitations on how I conceptualize and approach the game. This his taken my ability to the next level. It is a shame so many people behave in a reactionary manner to any ideas outside the official canon of the World RPS Society, what it endorses and it's "Advanced" strategy guide. Truly they are missing the wood for the trees.

On a further note although mirror play is rare in RPS 25 when it does occur the tension and excitement magnified to epic proportions.

[Master Roshambollah]

I am sick of people regurgitating the propaganda of the World RPS society in order to come across as intelligent.

If you are referring to the so called "great 8 gambits" you have much to learn, the very conception of these gambits was clearly a gambit in itself aimed at gaining mind-share and limiting the throws of anyone inexperineced or gullible enough to buy into them.

A refreshing perspective, Triple T.  I have long maintained a similar point of view.  The creation of the "Great Eight Gambits" (originally my phrase) served not only the marketing needs of the WRPSS, but also the metagame needs of advanced players.  To wit, before the creation of the "Avalanche," three rocks in a row were just three rocks in a row.  With the terminology "Avalanche" firmly entrenched in the minds of even the sport's most casual observers, the whole playing field has changed. Attend any Players' Reception at any tournament, and throw two rocks in a row.  Immediately, the other player is aware that you are threatening to complete the Avalanche, and they will respond accordingly (unless they are scripting or using another non-reactive strategy.)  You have successfully reduced their options from three (rock, paper or scissors) to two (Avalanche or non-Avalanche.)  Beating such a player is simplicity itself. 

By the way, thank you, Triple T, for introducing to me the concept of mind-share.  I will be including mind-share in my upcoming fall RPS seminars, and were the term not already in the logosphere, I would surely pay you a royalty.

For example, if you quadrupled the size of a chess board and quadrupled the number of different pieces, and proposed the new game idea to the International Chess Society (which I don't think exists), I can tell you that the society would reject it completely. You can't completely change a game that is loved by lots of people and expect people to like it.

Bobby Fischer, one of the great all-time chess masters (and one of the most troubled) introduced a variation of chess called Fischer Random Chess in the late 90's.  His goal was to "create a chess variant in which chess creativity and talent would be more important than memorization and analysis of opening moves."  Of course, Fischer would say that; he was one of the great tactical players and could easily prosper in such an environment.  Needless to say, the game has few adherents, and has never been officially recognized by FIDE, the World Chess Federation (which, believe it or not, is a real organization!)

Using 22 extra throws allows for a lot of redundancies that aren't necessary for me to enjoy the game.

Hear, hear, Cohrs.  Built-in redundancy is a fine thing when it comes to safety mechanisms in airplanes or corporate organization charts.  I don't need it in my favorite pastime.

There are a few noticeable exceptions to this such as custardchuk and Master Roshambollah who are capable of seeing things from a much broader perspective.

Tim, I was really enjoying your arguments until you started kissing ass.

regards,

Rosh

[Franklint]

Hi Two Throw Tim,

Terribly sorry about all that. It seems I should get my facts straight before shooting my mouth off. For some reason I thought that the Great Eight had been more successful in tournaments. I don't know where I got that from but in any case I apologise.

I also totally misinterpreted your comments. I also made the same mistake as R Cohrs in thinking that you had started this thread. After reading back through them I see that I over reacted lots.

I think that RPS+ is a very interesting idea and one that I am happy to discuss.

While I don't think it'll ever be taken quite so seriously, I certainly have no problem with it.

Please add me to your list of people who are open-minded.

It also seems that I was wrong about the chess thing. Grr.

Nah, it's all good Rosh, thanks for the info!

Cheers,
Franklint

[Jef Hallestone]

Mr. Two Throw Timmy,

You putting your fists to the test this October? You sure talk a big game. And where were you when we started the Masters and the Neophytes of the Bullboard Tournament? You would make for a great Neophyte.

[ScissorSista]

Hi Martin... you are someone like me who takes the game seriously rather than just as an excuse to get drunk and put on some tights.

Is this true Martin??? I was only planning to come to the next NZ Champs if you sporting a pair of tights was part of the deal you know. 

[Master Roshambollah]

Check your woman, custardchuk; if you can't manage her on the board, you won't be able to manage her in Toronto.

[ScissorSista]

Miaow...Master Rosh. My scissors will deftly cut off your catty claws.

chuk knows that ScissorSista is UNmanageable...any time, any place, any where.

[Two Throw Tim]

Jef, if you are trying to provoke me in your insinuation that I am neophyte I will not rise to the bait. I will make the assumption that your insult stems from ignorance and you are a well meaning if somewhat simple minded man.

Unfortunately I am not attending this October but intend to in 2008. I am looking forward to crossing fists with many of you here. Anyone can talk a big game but all words are for nought in the moment of truth that SPR provides.

Rosh I have no intention of kissing anyone's ass. I am simply trying to point out that although so many here are blind sheep their are those that understand the games true nature. Anyone with half a brain can see the "great 8" for what they are, but even smart men can be misled by the charismatic. It is my intention to issue a wake up call to those who have let their minds fall asleep.

I am heading into the wilds of Papua New Guinea in two days and will be out of contact. I will return two weeks later and resume my role here of reshaping the debate of this stagnant quagmire. Rather than a forum for regurgitating the World RPS Society's promotional material and for more advanced players to toy with the minds of the week it would be great to have a space to share true knowledge and wisdom and help take our game, our sport, and our art to the next level.

[R Cohrs]

Two Throw Tim,
  The Masters and Neophytes category has nothing to do with the skill level of the players as far as I know, just the time put in on the Bullboard forum. 

  Since the chess variant keeps coming up, anyone know about Shogi Go, Japanese chess.  It's completely different from the Western perception of chess, and is quite popular in Japan, with TV shows dedicated to strategy, many video games, books, etc...  I sure sucked at it, but there is handicapping that helps novices fight better players on a somewhat more equal ground.

[ScissorSista]

Jef...I will make the assumption that your insult stems from ignorance and you are a well meaning if somewhat simple minded man.

Triple T, you have obviously done your research on the members of the bullboard but please if you're going to be mean to Jef, have some manners and get to the back of the queue!

[custardchuk]

Check your woman, custardchuk;

I hear that a lot. Which one this time, Rosh?

Two Throw Tim,

Sorry it's taken me so long to welcome you to the board. (I been tied up with some management issues- literally). Welcome.

I was really enjoying your arguments until you started kissing ass.

And don't worry about Rosh. He has a sharing problem. Specifically, limelight.

Unfortunately I agree with the other RPS regulars on the forums.

Franklint,

I know how you feel, brother. Unfortunate indeed. Especially when Burley accidentally says something smart.

Here's my view on the whole thing.

New Guinea is probably one the better places to clear one's head. Being one of the last genuine frontiers left in the world, it offers a unique view on both life and RPS that cannot be found easily elsewhere.
New Guinean's, for the most part, still live a primitive tribal existence and, unencumbered by the modern world, make decisions based on need rather than desire. (Sadly, this is changing quickly as modern life encroaches and hereditary land can be bought for a Coke machine and a ride in a chopper)

However, for those not yet affected, the decision making process is simple, yet crucial. I'm hungry. I find food or starve. Kill it? Steal it from a neighbour? Trade reserves from yesterday to survive today? Make promises you may not be able to keep? There is no safety net and a wrong decision brings wrath upon your  family and tribe. It sounds bad but New Guineans live relatively happy, comfortable and peaceful lives by making the right decisions

When I make the right decisions in RPS, I, too, live a relatively happy, comfortable and peaceful life.
Unlike those above though, when I make a bad decision at RPS I have to skip desert or travel economy.

I would not want to meet Two Throw Tim at the Worlds. Because he can't help but learn the value of making the right decision while in PNG.

As to the 1000 varieties of RPS, whatever. Exercising one's mind never hurt anyone and is good training for the real game.

When you have limited choice you can never explore too many possibilities.

regards
custardchuk

[Two Throw Tim]

Jef...I will make the assumption that your insult stems from ignorance and you are a well meaning if somewhat simple minded man.

Triple T, you have obviously done your research on the members of the bullboard but please if you're going to be mean to Jef, have some manners and get to the back of the queue!

My apologies Jef I was a bit worked up at the time.

[Jef Hallestone]

No worries, Tim.  I could show you a 100 posts where other say worse things (and these are from friends).

Anyway, all it seems to prove is that you seem to fit in well on the bullboard

[Master Roshambollah]

Anyway, all it seems to prove is that you seem to fit in well on the bullboard

Ouch.  Low blow, Jef.

[Franklint]

Anyway, all it seems to prove is that you seem to fit in well on the bullboard

Ouch.  Low blow, Jef.

Pff. I chuckled at this.

Some nice underscores you've got there, srn.

Cheers,
Franklint