Mercy (game)

Mercy is a popular game of strength, skill and endurance in Britain, Canada, Pakistan, India, and the USA, among other countries. The game is played by two players who grasp each other's hands (with interlocked fingers). The aim is to twist the opponents hands or bend the fingers until the opponent surrenders.

Two players face each other and join hands, each player's left hand interlocking fingers and thumbs with the opposing player's right hand. On the word "go", each player attempts to bend back the opponent's hand and inflict pain by straining their wrist. When a player can no longer stand the pain they declare defeat by shouting "Mercy!" (or "Peanuts!", "Pinochle" or "Uncle", depending upon what they call the game). If a player on the verge of losing the match calls for "timeout" "break" or "re grip" that player will lose the match as though he or she has cried "mercy!"

The winner is usually called 'The Monster', 'The Champion', 'The Fahad' but this of course depends on the players, and some people choose to call it different. Most opponents do not want a rematch after facing the winners (win or lose regardless).

Cheating involves any other activity during the match that inflicts pain, distraction or discomfort on the opponent. Sportsmanship etiquette includes the prompt release of the hand grip after defeating the opponent. Some consider the rapid twisting of the wrist to be a dangerous cheat that could result in broken wrists; others consider this maneuver to be fair. During play, players may not move their feet (some play otherwise). Rules are often agreed upon before playing.

Skilled Mercy players often use specific strategies to get their opponents into painful positions, such as twisting the arm around so that the elbow is pointed towards the neck, against the back, and then pushing up on the arm. Throwing an opponent on their back on either a desk or the floor maybe used if they are too persistent. Sometimes a mercy match can end very quickly or can last for minutes.

Players with bony fingers may shift their grip to twist their opponents fingers purposefully, causing pain by digging their bony middle joints into the other players fingers. However painful this may be to the unsuspecting opponent, this may run the risk of dislocating or breaking one or both parties fingers.

The 'handlock' is a strategy mastered by those who are the best at mercy. Beware, 2 strong players could make each other's fingers numb and cause hand marks over them. Sometimes, if a person knows they will lose, they say "What's the name of this game?" to the other player. The other player may say "Mercy", signifying a win for the person who asked.

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Wikipedia