Analyzing the opponent’s moves: from rounds 1-7, the opponent mostly alternated between paper and rock, with one deviation (scissors in round 5). In particular, after playing rock in rounds 2 and 4 the opponent switched to paper or scissors, and after round 6 (paper) he played rock in round 7. It’s likely that after a rock move (as in round 7) the opponent will choose either paper or scissors—roughly a 50-50 split. Choosing scissors minimizes risk: if the opponent selects paper (as in the common alternating pattern), scissors wins; if the opponent picks scissors (as in a cycling pattern seen in rounds 5-7), the round ties rather than loses. Thus, to aim for a win or at worst tie, I choose scissors for round 8.