Dominating strategies
A dominating strategy is an option that a player can choose that always results in a better outcome for that player, regardless of what the other players do.
For example, consider the following payoff matrix for a two-player zero-sum game:
| Player B: Choice C | Player B: Choice D | |
|---|---|---|
| Player A: Choice A | 3 | 1 |
| Player A: Choice B | 4 | 2 |
- If Player A chooses Choice A, they get 3 points if Player B chooses Choice C and 2 points if Player B chooses Choice D.
- If Player A chooses Choice B, they get 4 points if Player B chooses Choice C and 1 point if Player B chooses Choice D.
In this case, Choice B is a dominating strategy for Player A because it results in a better outcome (4 points vs. 3 points and 1 point vs. 2 points) regardless of what Player B chooses.
flashcards
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is a dominating strategy in game theory? | An option a player can choose that always results in a better outcome for that player, regardless of what other players do. |
| In the provided payoff matrix (Player A: Choice A gives 3 or 1; Choice B gives 4 or 2), which choice is a dominating strategy for Player A and why? | Choice B is a dominating strategy because it yields a better outcome (4 vs 3 if Player B chooses C, and 1 vs 2 if Player B chooses D) regardless of Player B’s choice. |
| What type of game is the provided example with two players, where one player’s gain is the other’s loss? | A two-player zero-sum game. |