Prisoner's Dilemma

Two suspects can cooperate (stay silent) or defect (betray). Both defecting is worse for everyone, but neither can trust the other to cooperate.

2x2 game

Battle of the Sexes

A couple wants to spend the evening together but prefers different events. Coordinating matters more than the specific choice.

2x2 game

Chicken (Hawk-Dove)

Two drivers head toward each other. Swerving is safe but looks weak. Neither wants to crash, but neither wants to be the one who swerves.

2x2 game

Matching Pennies

A zero-sum game with no pure Nash equilibrium. One player wants to match, the other wants to mismatch. Only mixed strategies work.

2x2 game

Stag Hunt

Two hunters can hunt a stag together (high reward, requires cooperation) or hunt a hare alone (safe but smaller reward).

2x2 game

Pricing War

Two firms choose to price high or low. Both pricing low is costly, but undercutting a high-price rival steals market share.

2x2 game