If you think you’ve seen the weirdest sporting competition when curling was introduced to the Olympics, think again. Make room for the new leader in the oddball tournament universe — rock-paper-scissors.

As part of the Fall Buyback this semester, the University Book Store will be partaking in a national event, sponsored by GotUsed.com, by becoming the new war ground in the age-old competition of rock-paper-scissors.

Students returning their books will be able to test their abilities against UBS staff in hopes of glory and prizes. Those who want to be a champion in the tournament, however, can try for a more ferocious, national tournament being held in Florida.

Rita Phillips, Book Division Manager at UBS, says students can have the chance to compete in the tournament by registering at the store.

“We pick a winner at the end of all this, and they get to participate in the tournament in Florida,” Phillips says.

“They have officials from Canada. They’re actual officials.”

Crowding behind the long folding tables are Faye Splain, 53; Jason Price, 30; and Mike Williams, 24 — employees for GotUsed.com — and Heather Reynolds, senior in animal ecology, ready for their next opponents.

“Sometimes it takes three or four times to determine a winner,” Price says. “That’s when it can get pretty competitive.”

As for the success rate of the students, Price estimates the ratio to be around 50-50.

“Yeah, except with me,” Splain says. “They win most of the time with me. They all come to me because they know they can beat me.”

“Yep,” Reynolds says from the other end. “Go to the redhead.”

A few minutes later, Renee Rossi, junior in philosophy, arrives alongside Jacob Petersen, junior in meterology, lugging a stack of used textbooks in her winter hat — another seemingly regular student.

However, she has a secret that employee contender Williams is unaware of — when it comes to rock-paper-scissors, she’s a pro.

She is actually a member of the Guild of Wargamers and Roleplayers, a group that is all too familiar with the sport.

“I actually do it a lot,” Rossi says. “Yes, I actually do live-action roleplaying where everything is decided by rock-paper-scissors.”

Her friend, Peterson, is also a member of the Guild.

“It’s a bunch of people running around like vampires and werewolves where you fight each other using rock-paper-scissors,” Peterson says.

“There’s actually five games going on in Ames right now.”

With only two feet of gray table separating them, Rossi and Williams begin to battle. As Williams throws down his hand of scissors, Rossi, with her finely tuned instinct, throws down a rock with a crushing blow.

Afterwards, Williams is feeling pretty crushed himself.

“I’m stunned that she beat me,” he says. “I thought I knew how to play, but I guess not.”

Soon enough, Williams redeems himself by easily defeating another opponent.

“I won my last match today,” he says. “I’ll be able to sleep tonight.”