Rock Paper Scissors
Pick your move. The computer chooses at random.
Pick a move
- Rock crushes scissors
- Paper covers rock
- Scissors cuts paper
Play rock paper scissors online
This rock paper scissors game puts you against the computer. You pick rock, paper or scissors, the computer makes its own random pick, and the page tells you who won and why. A score row counts wins, losses and ties, so you can play best of three or best of five. It works on phones and computers, and there is nothing to install.
How to play rock paper scissors
- Press Rock, Paper or Scissors.
- Both hands appear side by side: yours on the left, the computer’s on the right.
- Read the result: You win, Computer wins, or Tie. The line below explains it, such as “Paper covers rock”.
- Keep playing. The score row updates after every round.
- Press Reset score to begin a fresh match.
The rules
Three moves, three rules:
- Rock crushes scissors
- Scissors cuts paper
- Paper covers rock
Each move beats one move and loses to one. If you both pick the same thing, it is a tie and nobody gets the win.
Strategy against a computer and against people
Against this computer there is no winning trick. It picks each move with equal odds, so whatever you choose, you have a 1 in 3 chance to win, lose or tie. Over many rounds you should win about a third of the time, lose about a third, and tie the rest.
People are different. Friends often fall into habits. Some lead with rock. Some avoid throwing the same move three times in a row. Many switch to whatever would have beaten them last round. Playing a random opponent is a good way to notice your own habits, because the computer will not exploit them, but a sharp friend might.
A losing streak against the computer is just chance. It is not reading your patterns, and it is not about to let you win either. Each round starts from scratch.
When to use it
- Settling who goes first. A quick best of three decides who picks the movie or takes the first turn.
- Solo play. Try a best of ten and see how close to a third of the wins you land.
- Teaching probability. Have students play 30 rounds and compare their win count with the expected 10.
- Short breaks. A two minute game is a quick reset between study sessions or tasks.
- Remote tie breakers. Each person plays ten rounds against the computer, and the better score wins.
Fair play
The computer’s move is drawn with your browser’s cryptographic random generator (crypto.getRandomValues). It does not look at your move, track your history, or try to predict you. That keeps every round an even contest.
Want more moves and fewer ties? Try rock paper scissors lizard spock. For a simple two-way call, use the coin flip.
Frequently asked questions
Can the computer see my move before it picks?
No. The computer chooses rock, paper or scissors at random with equal odds, and your choice plays no part in its pick.
What are the rules?
Rock crushes scissors, scissors cuts paper, and paper covers rock. If you both pick the same move, it is a tie. The rules are also listed beside the game.
Is there a strategy that beats the computer?
Not over time. Because the computer picks at random, every move you make has a 1 in 3 chance to win, lose or tie. Strategies only help against people, who tend to fall into habits.
How do I play best of five?
Watch the score row. The first player to reach three wins takes the match, and ties do not count. Press Reset score to start the next match.
Does it keep score between visits?
No. The score row counts your wins, the computer's wins and ties for this visit only. Reset score clears it, and so does reloading the page.
Is there a version with more moves?
Yes. Rock paper scissors lizard spock adds two moves for five in total, which makes ties less common.