Stable Solutions to Zero Sum Games

The row maximin is 4, so A to play it safe A should play strategy 2, and the column minimax is 4, so B should play strategy 4. This results in a win of 4 for A and a loss of 4 for B. We now consider if it is worthwhile for A or B to change strategy. If A assumes B will play strategy 4, then if A plays strategy 1, they will win 3 and if A plays strategy 3 they will win 2, but will win 8 by staying with strategy 2. If B assumes A will play strategy 2, B will lose 5 if they play strategy 1, 6 if they play strategy 2, 5 if they play strategy 3 but only 4 if they stick with strategy 4. It is not sensible for either player to change strategy, if they are both playing safe. The game has a stable equilibrium or saddle point, at (A2, B4) and the game has value 4 to A and -4 to B.

Suppose we have the following payoff matrix.

5

-2

3

3

5

6

5

4

2

3

-1

2

We find the play safe strategies.

 

 

 

 

 

Row Minimum

 

5

-2

3

3

-2

 

5

6

5

4

4

 

2

3

-1

2

-1

Column Maximum

5

6

5

4

 

The row maximin is 4, so A to play it safe A should play strategy 2, and the column minimax is 4, so B should play strategy 4. This results in a win of 4 for A and a loss of 4 for B.

We now consider if it is worthwhile for A or B to change strategy.

If A assumes B will play strategy 4, then if A plays strategy 1, they will win 3 and if A plays strategy 3 they will win 2, but will win 8 by staying with strategy 2.

If B assumes A will play strategy 2, B will lose 5 if they play strategy 1, 6 if they play strategy 2, 5 if they play strategy 3 but only 4 if they stick with strategy 4.

It is not sensible for either player to change strategy, if they are both playing safe. The game has a stable equilibrium or saddle point, at (A2, B4) and the game has value 4 to A and -4 to B.