Rock Paper Scissors Tournament
Massive elimination tournament with a twist: losers become cheerleaders for winners - creates instant energy.
10-15 min
10-500 people
high
None needed
About This Game
Rock Paper Scissors Tournament turns the simple game into a high-energy group activity. Players pair up and play rock-paper-scissors. Winners advance, but here's the twist: losers become the winner's enthusiastic cheerleading squad. By the final round, two people face off with hundreds of people cheering behind them.
Objectives
- Instantly energize large groups
- Break down social barriers through silliness
- Create memorable shared experience
- Practice being playful and supportive
How to Run This Game
Facilitator Script:
"Everyone stand up! We're playing Rock Paper Scissors Tournament. Here's the twist: when you lose, you don't sit down - you become your opponent's ENTHUSIASTIC cheerleader! You'll cheer for them in their next match. Find a partner near you and let's start!"
Actions:
- Get everyone standing and spread out
- Demonstrate rock-paper-scissors if needed
- Emphasize: ENTHUSIASTIC cheerleading is key
- Check that everyone has a partner
Tips:
- • Model the energy you want - be enthusiastic yourself
- • Odd number? Facilitator plays or one group of 3
- • Space permitting: create a loose circle or open area
Facilitator Script:
"Round 1! Rock, paper, scissors, SHOOT! ... Winners, find a new opponent! Losers, cheer for your winner!"
Actions:
- Call out each round: "1, 2, 3, SHOOT!"
- After each round: "Winners find new opponent!"
- Watch energy build as cheering squads grow
- Continue until 2 finalists remain
Tips:
- • Energy builds geometrically - first rounds quiet, finals LOUD
- • Each round eliminates half the players
- • 10 people = 4 rounds, 100 people = 7 rounds
- • Play music between rounds for extra energy
Facilitator Script:
"We're down to our final two! Everyone else - cheer for your champion! This is for ALL the marbles! Ready? Rock, paper, scissors, SHOOT!"
Actions:
- Build suspense for final match
- Ensure both finalists have cheering sections
- Play best 2 out of 3 for drama
- Celebrate the champion, thank everyone
Tips:
- • The final should be LOUD and fun
- • Take photo/video of the finals
- • Everyone should be cheering at the end
- • Thank the whole group for great energy
Facilitator Tips
- Works with ANY size group - 10 to 500+
- Takes 10-15 min regardless of group size (logarithmic elimination)
- Perfect for conferences, orientations, large meetings
- The silliness breaks down hierarchies
- Even shy people get into it by the end
Common Challenges & Solutions
Variations & Adaptations
Use Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock (Big Bang Theory version) for extra complexity
Championship winner gets a silly prize or title ("RPS Champion 2025")
teams have used this game