4
$\begingroup$

Given a two-person zero-sum game, a mixed strategy Nash equilibrium always exists and all such equilibria have the same value. A pure strategy Nash equilibrium, however, may not exist.

My question is: suppose that a pure strategy Nash equilibrium exists, does the value of it equal the value of the mixed strategy Nash equilibrium?

$\endgroup$

2 Answers 2

4
$\begingroup$

Pure strategy Nash equilibria are a subset of mixed strategy Nash equilibria, so as long as your statement

a mixed strategy Nash equilibrium always exists and all such equilibria have the same value

is true, all pure strategy Nash equilibria will have the same value as well.

$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ It seems that I was asking a dumb question =_= $\endgroup$
    – Mengfan Ma
    Jun 9, 2020 at 7:32
1
$\begingroup$

Just to be careful, the above equivalence need not hold in general games. Consider the following game (which is a modified matching pennies):

$$\begin{array}{c|c|c|c|} & \text{H} & \text{T} & \text{P}\\ \hline \text{H} & (1,-1) & (-1,1) & (-2,-2) \\ \hline \text{T} & (-1,1) & (1,-1) & (-2,-2) \\ \hline \text{P} & (-2,-2) & (-2,-2) & (-2,-2) \\ \hline \end{array}$$

This game has a pure strategy nash equilibrium $(P,P)$ which yields -2 to each player.

However, a mixed strategy of the game involves $\big\{\frac{1}{2}\circ H; \frac{1}{2}\circ T; 0 \circ P\big\}$ for each player (i.e. each player randomizes uniformly between H and T). This mixed strategy yields a value of 0 to each player. The issue arises because there may be Nash Equilibria in (weakly) dominated strategies.

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.