How do you play Rock, Paper, Scissors?

I play Rock, Paper, Scissors all the time with my friends to help make decisions and even just for fun. What I have come to notice, is that there are many variations on how it’s played. So, here is what I would like to know:

1. Do you actually play “Rock, Paper, Scissors”? Or do you have a variation, for instance my friends and I also play, “Rock, Flag, and Eagle.” I have another friend who plays “Cockroach, Boot, and Nuclear Bomb.”

2. When playing, do you say, (with your preferred variation) “Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot” or just “Rock, Paper, Scissors.”

3. Before revealing your decision, what position do you keep your hand? I keep mine in the “rock” position, while I have witnessed others keep their hand in the “paper” position.

4. Then lastly, while reciting the aforementioned chant, do you smack your playing hand on the open palm of your other hand or just do it in the air?