Did you know the population of ponies have never heard of Rock Paper Scissors? Unsurprising, given the lack of fingers necessary to play such a truly insightful and fascinating game with such an interesting history.
Alicorns, however, have a special pony-equivalent variation called Hoof, Horn, Wings. A Hoof beats Horn (Twilight Sparkle would object vehemently to the idea of brawn beating brain, but Ogres & Oubliettes players could make a convincing argument otherwise), a Horn wins against Wings by attacking from a distance, and Wings beat Hoof by flying out of reach. Since Alicorns are the only ones with the appendages to play such a game, it's well-known among royalty, and some unicorns who know how to create images with magic, quickly.
Princess Celestia is a particularly big player of the game: you'd be surprised at just how often incredibly big decisions as princess basically boil down to being decided by such a game. But of course, such a simple game of chance invariably gets a bit dull, and so on occasion she does house-rule in another play: the DOUBLE HORN.
It's been said that Bicorns don't exist, but then the same was said of Pinkie's capacity to hold her breath for nearly a day when Trixie rubbed out her mouth and nostrils with the Alicorn Amulet, and she did, just out of spite. Anyway, this special Double Horn that she has introduced adds a twist of thought to such a game. Double Horn defeats Horn, the same way Hoof does, it also beats Wings like regular Horn, and loses to Hoof.
Princess Celestia has always favoured the Best-of-3 approach to these sorts of games, but really, introducing just one new play is hardly going to be mind-blowing: indeed, some may considering it rather unsporting. As a result, Celestia has another rule during any time she house-rules Double Horn in: if at any point regular Horn is played when the opposing pony puts forward Wings, whoever played Horn wins the match, regardless of score.
Of course, hopefully there should never be such a time when you need to pit your wits and/or your neck against her, but it always pays to be crazy prepared for such scenarios. Supposing you were challenged to such a game: there are a number of ways it can play out, so for each phase of the game, how should you approach it to maximise your odds of winning?
Punch Celestia in the face and run.
You call Celestia out on her cheating bullshit and refuse to play.
Ok this seems hard
Hoof at 0-0 beats both horns so thats a 2/3 chance
If you win that its 1-0, the opponent will think you'll do hoof again, so do double horn as it beats wings and horn
If you lose the first round, its 0-1 & they then think you'll counter wing with some horn, so they do hoof and you do wing
Its then 1-1, they think that you know they will counter wing with horn, and that you'll do hoof,so they do wing, you then do double horn
9262083
Um...don't think of it like that. Treat every single round as though the results of the previous one have no bearings. I'm asking what you should do if you're at the scores outlined.
9262324
Still sounds hard but ok
when us at 0, the only way to win the match is a horn vs wing in favor of us
With us at 1, any winning match up can give us the match, so double horn or hoof would be best as both have a 2/3 chance of a win
9262471
On the right lines, but be less general. Assuming you've got one win, an opponent playing rationally will employ different tactics depending on whether they've got a win too or are 1-0 down.
9263236
To further my point
0-0 we go horn
1-0 we go hoof or double horn
0-1 we do hoof
1-1 we do hoof again
Ah, strategy...
Do you mind, if I am feeling tired, so I'll just... skip straight to the answer ?