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This quintessential question reminds us of another we recently answered involving dibs (as in "who's got 'em"). Indeed, it seems whenever dibs are up for grabs, a game of rock, paper, scissors (or Rochambeau) is used to end the debate. After arguing among ourselves over whose turn it was to actually write today's column, we got into a groove and tracked down the answer. According to Wikipedia, the game has its origins in China. It was popular among warlords (!) during the Han Dynasty. It's not exactly clear whether it was used to idly pass the time, to make cavalier decisions, or as
something more akin to gambling. Another source offers an extensive (and somewhat convoluted) history of a Japanese game called "jan ken pon." It's believed this game (basically "rock, paper, scissors") evolved from another Japanese game called "honken," which involved two players simultaneously extending zero to five fingers. With both hands hidden, each person would then guess the total number of fingers. Whoever guessed correctly won. Regardless of how the modern game came to be, there are now different versions of rock, paper, scissors all over the world. Additionally, plenty of sites teach determined players how to win.
Sheesh, you didn't think it was all blind luck, did you?
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