N.H. retiree aces Rock, Paper, Scissors

A burly 64-year-old retiree who resembles jolly old St. Nick will be going mano a mano with other contestants in a national title bout _ in Rock, Paper, Scissors.

Ray Scott won the New Hampshire title by advancing through eight rounds of tournaments at Manchester bars and pubs. With his white beard and spectacles, fans cheered "Go Santa Go" during the New Hampshire finals earlier this month.

Next month Scott heads to Las Vegas to compete in the USA Rock, Paper Scissors League's national competition. If he makes the right move, he wins the $50,000 grand prize. The competition will be broadcast on ESPN.

Scott says he focuses more on showmanship than strategy.

"I don't have a strategy. I can't be thinking 'What's he gonna throw?'" he said. "I just throw something."

He said he enjoys hamming it up for the crowd, walking into a room with a coat draped over his shoulders like a cape, having a friend put lotion on his hands and his daughter dab sweat from his brow. He plans to step it up for Las Vegas.

"I'm wrestling with the costume issue," he told the New Hampshire Union Leader.

"I have a very nice Father Christmas outfit _ not one of those tacky Santa suits _ but I wonder about little kids seeing Santa in Vegas. What would I say to them?"