Thumb war

A two-player game in which opponents clasp hands and try to pin each other’s thumb for a count. It is usually played with one hand per player.

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Thumb wrestling: A contest in which opponents use their thumbs to pin one another's thumb, usually while clasping hands. This common name emphasizes the grappling action at the game's center.
Children's game: A game primarily associated with play among children. Thumb wars are commonly played as informal, equipment-free children's play.
Rock paper scissors: A hand game in which players simultaneously choose rock, paper, or scissors to determine a winner. Both games offer a quick, informal way to settle a playful contest.
Play fighting: Mock combat performed without the intent to cause serious harm. The match imitates a fight while keeping the stakes and force low.
Hand clasp: A grip formed by interlocking or pressing together two people's hands. The clasp keeps the hands joined while the thumbs remain free to compete.
Playground game: A game played informally in a schoolyard or other shared play space. The contest fits the short, spontaneous games often played between classmates.
Tie-breaking: A method for deciding a winner when a contest otherwise ends evenly. A thumb war can settle a small dispute without equipment or preparation.
Chant: A short rhythmic phrase repeated or recited aloud, often collectively. The familiar rhyme marks the start and can make the contest feel ceremonial.
Pinning (combat sports): A control technique that holds an opponent's body or limb in place. The winning condition adapts the idea of a pin to a single thumb.
Nursery rhyme: A short traditional verse or song associated with young children. A rhythmic chant often accompanies the count and adds ceremony to the match.