Mukjjippa: the Korean rock paper scissors chase
Mukjjippa (묵찌빠) is a Korean game that starts with rock paper scissors and turns into a chase. The winner becomes the attacker and both keep throwing: if the defender ever shows the same hand as the attacker, the attacker scores.
How to play Mukjjippa
- Play rock paper scissors (gawi bawi bo). The winner becomes the attacker.
- Both throw again, the attacker calling the name of their hand: muk (rock), jji (scissors) or ppa (paper).
- Same hand: the attacker scores.
- Different hands: whoever wins that throw becomes the attacker, and the chase goes on.
Muk, jji, ppa
The three hands have short names in Mukjjippa: muk for rock, jji for scissors and ppa for paper. Calling them out loud is half the fun: the attacker names the hand they are throwing, and the defender has to dodge it.
Mukjjippa strategy
As the attacker you want to throw what you think the defender will throw. As the defender you want to throw anything else, and ideally the hand that beats the attacker's, which makes you the attacker. Players under pressure often repeat themselves; punish it.
Playing Mukjjippa on Janken
The board tells you every throw whether you are attacking or defending. Play to 1, 2 or 3 points against a bot or online. Mukjjippa games are casual.
Questions
What does mukjjippa mean?
It's the three hand names run together: muk (rock), jji (scissors), ppa (paper).
How do you score in Mukjjippa?
Only the attacker can score, by throwing the same hand as the defender.
Is Mukjjippa played outside Korea?
It's best known in Korea, and you can play it online with anyone on Janken.