When wills contest; when desire pits itself against desire; when pride and machismo replace logic and reasoning as the means by which to satisfactorily solve a dispute, it is not uncommon for nearby ears to hear the classic challenge, "I'll arm wrestle you for it."

It's perhaps not a game so much as it's a tradition, as time-honored as it is timeless.  Man-to-man, Face-to-face, mano y mano.  The casual observer easily mistakes it for a game of brute strength when in fact it is a contest of skill and more than a little intimidation.  Physics also comes heartily into play, especially when technique can tip the laws of force and leverage in someone's favor.

Of course, part of the beauty of arm wrestling is that unlike so many sports, its appeal is equally amateurish and professional.  The bottom line is that it features two contestants who place opposing bent elbows on the table and lock upright hands.  When the contest begins, each one struggles to "pin" the arm of the other with - as in regular wrestling - the victor's arm triumphantly atop the loser's.  For beginners, it's simply about having a good time.  For experts, it's about hand size, arm length, muscle mass, wrist flexibility... and having a good time.

Arm wrestling is popular enough to have garnered a significant following.  The American Armsport Association, the World Armwrestling Federation, and other various leagues unite contestants the world over by having them clasp hands and unleash "The Hook," the "Top Roll," the "Tricep Press," or any of a number of colorful techniques.  Of course, the most famous move was that popularized by Sylvester Stallone in Over the Top, the sport's unofficial franchise film.

But let's face it:  For most of us, arm wrestling is as simple as two very sane and rational people trying to decide who should get the last piece of pizza.  It's as simple as a wink and a smile and usually starts with such.  And it's as simple as a laugh and a slap on the back... and usually ends with such.