Spock/Lizard variation.

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Comments:: I grow concerned that the controversy over dynamite, and its subsequent logical debunking, may reflect badly on the use of other rule variations, most notably Paper-Scissors-Rock-Spock-Lizard. Yet PSRSL is a perfectly fair game, and may prove to be an additional challenge to advanced players. : If you apply the same grid method to PSRSL, you can see the game is fair because each throw has two possible wins, two possible losses, and one possible draw. The official reasoning chain is: Scissors cuts Paper covers Rock crushes Lizard poisons Spock smashes Scissors decapitates Lizard eats Paper disproves Spock vapirozes Rock crushes Scissors. : Against traditional throws, Spock behaves like Rock, and Lizard behaves like Scissors -- this makes for a very useful sound-alike mnemonic for newcomers to this variation. Spock, however, is stronger against traditional throws, because Spock vaporizes Rock, but Scissors decapitate Lizard. Lizard makes up for this by poisoning Spock. In short, the new throw that wins to its traditional twin will lose to the other new throw, and vice-versa. This balances the game. : However, it is important to stress that the new throws shall never count unless both parties are aware that they are valid and understand the rules. Suppose, for example, two players named Red and Blue are playing a match, but Red has decided to wield the Spock and Lizard throws without Blue's knowledge. Red suspects that Rock will win her next throw, but suspects that Blue may play Rock as well and force a draw. Red instead throws Spock, assuring a win against both Scissors and Rock. Spock would also be effective if Red wants to play Paper but suspects a surprise Scissors attack. Good ole Spock. Nothin' beats Spock. You'll probably find that nobody will "accidentally" play Lizard in this manner, because Lizard would act like a Scissors that loses a draw. : Also, it is essential that both parties be able to execute all throws. There are those who have difficulty throwing the Spock sign, and such people would favor the other four signs. If Blue were such a person, Red would find that Rock and Scissors have become more potent. Paper and Lizard, robbed of their disproving and poisoning powers, would only be useful as sacrifice throws to manipulate Blue. In the event that one player is unable to throw Spock, the players could agree on an alternate Spock shape that is easier to throw; a dynamite-shaped Spock, for example. : The PSRSL variation may have its complications, but it is a fair game, and with practice, is well within the limits of human comprehension. With careful design, similar games with seven, nine, or even eleven throws may be designed. Of course, a game with an even number of throws is not acceptable, as that would cause the same asymmetry caused in the Dynamite variation. It is also unknown whether the mind can grasp a game with seven or more throws, but it could add dimensions to the gameplay that just might earn the respect of those snobs who claim it isn't a "real game." : I hope someday this website will address the issue of PSRSL, and that the website looks favorably upon this innovative variation.

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