Gladiators, Pirates and Games of Trust

How Game Theory, Strategy and Probability Rule Our Lives

An accessible, light-hearted exploration into Game Theory. Haim Shapira describes what it is, why it is important and how it can help us in our daily lives.

This book provides many humorous anecdotes and insightful examples of how our daily lives are affected by Game Theory. Game Theory is the mathematical formalization of interactive decision-making – it assumes that each player's goal is to maximize his/her benefit, whatever it may be. Players may be friends, foes, political parties, states, or any entity that behaves interactively, whether collectively or individually. One of the problems with game analysis is the fact that, as a player, it’s very hard to know what would benefit each of the other players; some of us are not even clear about our own goals or what might actually benefit us. Haim Shapira uses multiple examples to explain what Game Theory is and how the different interactions between decision-makers can play out. In this book you will:

• Meet the Nobel Laureate John F Nash and familiarize yourself with his celebrated equilibrium
• Learn the basic ideas of the art of negotiation
• Visit the gladiators’ ring and apply for a coaching position
• Build an airport and divide inheritance
• Issue ultimatums and learn to trust