What is Mexican standoff?
[[Image:Mexican Standoff.jpg|thumb|an example]] A '''Mexican standoff''' is a three person [[duel]]. In a two person duel the person who shoots first has the advantage. In a Mexican duel it is different. If person A shoots B, then person C has the advantage as they can shoot person A while they are busy. So in a Mexican standoff nobody wants to be the first one to shoot. As well as this, nobody can take the risk of backing down. The term is often used to describe a confrontation between two equals, where neither side will gain a winning advantage by being the first to shoot, but neither side can risk backing down. The [[Cold War]] between the [[USA]] and the [[Soviet Union]] is often described as being a Mexican standoff, with neither country prepared to be the first to risk using [[nuclear weapon]]s. The idea of a Mexican standoff is often used as part of the plot in [[movies]]. This page mentioned, but misquoted, in the last scene of The Big Bang Theory episode #506. {{stub}} [[Category:Duels]]