What is a zero-sum game?
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A zero-sum game is a mathematical concept in game theory where one player’s gain is exactly balanced by the losses of the other player. In other words, in a zero-sum game, the total benefit among all players in the game is always zero, meaning that for every winner, there must be a loser.
Some common examples of zero-sum games include:
Chess: In chess, one player wins while the other player loses, meaning the total benefit of the game is zero.
Poker: In poker, one player wins while the other player(s) lose, meaning the total benefit of the game is zero.
Bitcoin: NEGATIVE SUM GAME, it used to be a zero sum until most transactions are on platforms which charges a transaction fee.
A contrasting example is the stock market, which can be a positive sum game, where all participants can benefit from the growth of the market from technological advances or economic growth.
A zero-sum game is a mathematical concept in game theory where one player’s gain is exactly balanced by the losses of the other player. In other words, in a zero-sum game, the total benefit among all players in the game is always zero, meaning that for every winner, there must be a loser.
Some common examples of zero-sum games include:
Chess: In chess, one player wins while the other player loses, meaning the total benefit of the game is zero.
Poker: In poker, one player wins while the other player(s) lose, meaning the total benefit of the game is zero.
Bitcoin: NEGATIVE SUM GAME, it used to be a zero sum until most transactions are on platforms which charges a transaction fee.
A contrasting example is the stock market, which can be a positive sum game, where all participants can benefit from the growth of the market from technological advances or economic growth.
If you’ve ever played the game Sorry, and after rounds of craziness, you and every other player end up going back to the same spots you started in
If you’ve ever played the game Sorry, and after rounds of craziness, you and every other player end up going back to the same spots you started in
Zero sum is essentially when only one person wins and gets everything as opposed to a win-win scenario where each party wins something of value. It’s typically used as a ruse in the political arena to convince people that if you give to ‘cause a’ there is nothing left to give to ‘cause b’. Ie. if you fund Medicare there’s nothing left for social security when in fact this is untrue and funding either effects neither. When in fact funding one thing does not necessitate the taking from something else. It’s super common and used a lot in politics to muddy the waters. It’s also used emotionally. Ie. If you love 1 child ‘x amount’ that leaves nothing for other children. When in fact love is boundless. In gaming it denotes a play format in which one player takes everything such as in a poker match where there is only one winner.
Zero sum is essentially when only one person wins and gets everything as opposed to a win-win scenario where each party wins something of value. It’s typically used as a ruse in the political arena to convince people that if you give to ‘cause a’ there is nothing left to give to ‘cause b’. Ie. if you fund Medicare there’s nothing left for social security when in fact this is untrue and funding either effects neither. When in fact funding one thing does not necessitate the taking from something else. It’s super common and used a lot in politics to muddy the waters. It’s also used emotionally. Ie. If you love 1 child ‘x amount’ that leaves nothing for other children. When in fact love is boundless. In gaming it denotes a play format in which one player takes everything such as in a poker match where there is only one winner.
A zero-sum game is an activity where you can only win something by winning it from someone, and you can only lose something by losing it to someone. For example, poker is a zero-sum game, because every dollar you win was won from someone, and you can only lose money if someone wins it from you.
If you and a friend contribute seeds to sowing on a farm and then split the harvest at the end of the season, that’s a positive-sum game because you both ended up better off without taking your gains from someone. If you and a friend take turns hitting each other with sticks, that’s a negative-sum game because you both end up worse-off without having improved anyone’s situation.
A zero-sum game is an activity where you can only win something by winning it from someone, and you can only lose something by losing it to someone. For example, poker is a zero-sum game, because every dollar you win was won from someone, and you can only lose money if someone wins it from you.
If you and a friend contribute seeds to sowing on a farm and then split the harvest at the end of the season, that’s a positive-sum game because you both ended up better off without taking your gains from someone. If you and a friend take turns hitting each other with sticks, that’s a negative-sum game because you both end up worse-off without having improved anyone’s situation.
Any wins have to be matched to a loss…so if you win 5 dollars, someone else must’ve lost 5 dollars…so the game remains at “zero” since no value was lost or gained in the game…just between the players.
Any wins have to be matched to a loss…so if you win 5 dollars, someone else must’ve lost 5 dollars…so the game remains at “zero” since no value was lost or gained in the game…just between the players.
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