Trinity R.P.S. (aka Trinity Rock Paper Scissors)

Trinity R.P.S. is (obviously) a derivation of rock-paper-scissors that allows the addition of a third competitor. The premise behind Trinity R.P.S. is to provide a moderately increased game length with more exciting game play. Not to mention you sometimes need to settle three-way disputes!

Definitions

  • Throw - the act of choosing a character during a moment of game play (ie choosing rock, paper, or scissors).
  • Trinity - when all opponents throw the same character (ie. all rock, etc.).
  • Natural - when each opponent throws one of each character.
  • Hero - when a competitor throws a character that beats both of his/her opponents characters (ie. 1 rock, 2 scissors).
  • Killer - when a competitor throws a character that is defeated by the character thrown by his/her opponents (ie. 2 scissors, 1 paper).
  • Victim - a name given to the competitor on the losing side of a "Killer"
  • Declaration - upon throwing the first "Natural" of the game, each competitor is "Declared" the character of which they threw. Subsequent naturals do not trigger a "Declaration".

Scoring

In order to win a game of Trinity R.P.S., one must obtain 3 points. The point range is between -3 and 3. All players start at 0 points. Points are obtained by 1) being a "Hero" or 2) being the character defined by a "Trinity" after a "Declaration" has occurred or 3) being your "declared" character in the event of another natural. It is possible for all three players to earn a point in a "Natural" matching that of the "Declaration". A player may lose a point by being a "Victim". The first competitor to 3 points, wins. Any player reaching -3 is immediately eliminated from the game and the remaining players must play traditional R.P.S. until one of the players reaches 3 points. This means that if a player is eliminated, the two players left must continue with their current score.

Example Game

The competitors Sam, Julie, and Abe will play a match of Trinity R.P.S.. Each player starts with a score of 0.

Throw #1
PlayerCharacterScore
Samrock0
Julierock0
Abepaper0+1
Hero!
Throw #2
PlayerCharacterScore
Samscissors0-1
Julierock0
Aberock1
Killer! Sam is the Victim!
Throw #3
PlayerCharacterScore
Sampaper-1
Juliepaper0
Abepaper1
Trinity! No score because a "Declaration" has not occurred.
Throw #4
PlayerCharacterScore
Samrock-1
Juliepaper0
Abescissors1
Natural! First Natural = Declaration, each player now represents their current character. On successive Trinities the player representing that character in the trinity will earn a point.
Throw #5
PlayerCharacterScore
Sampaper-1
Julierock0-1
Abepaper1
Killer!
Throw #6
PlayerCharacterScore
Samrock-1+1
Juliescissors-1
Abescissors1
Hero!
Throw #7
PlayerCharacterScore
Sampaper0
Juliepaper-1
Abescissors1+1
Hero!
Throw #8
PlayerCharacterScore
Sampaper0
Juliescissors-1
Aberock2
Natural! No score.
Throw #9
PlayerCharacterScore
Samrock0-1
Juliepaper-1
Abepaper2
Killer!
Throw #10
PlayerCharacterScore
Samscissors-1
Juliescissors-1
Abescissors2+1 = 3!
Trinity! Since "Declarations" have occurred and Abe represents scissors, he gains a point...and Wins!

Sudden Death Rules

Sudden Death Trinity R.P.S. is used for simplifying a 3-way problem into a 2-way problem in which Classic R.P.S. takes over. This method of play can be used to determine advancing players in a championship in which 2 of 3 opponents need to advance.

Game Play

Play a game of Trinity R.P.S. as per normal. The first player to be a "Hero" is automatically a winner and should step aside for the remaining 2 players to play traditional sudden death R.P.S.. If a "Killer" is encountered, the "Victim" is immediately eliminated and the 2 remaining players advance.