Play one, and it stops being theory.

Eight matrices you can actually sit down at. Name the shape before you play it, then play real rounds against an opponent running a real named strategy — tit for tat, grim trigger, a pattern reader, a calculator that sees your move before it answers.

The equilibrium outlined on each matrix is computed from the payoffs every time it is drawn, so it cannot drift away from what the debrief claims about it.

TABLE 01 · Work and Careers

THE SIX O'CLOCK WALKnobody asked you to stay, and everybody is staying

UnplayedThe Prisoner's DilemmaSit down →

TABLE 02 · Work and Careers

THE LONG CORRIDORthe same table, and you will both be back tomorrow

UnplayedThe Repeated GameSit down →

TABLE 03 · News and Media

TWO DESKS, ONE TIPsomebody has to wait, and whoever waits loses the story

UnplayedChickenSit down →

TABLE 04 · Politics and Voting

THE BILL NOBODY TABLESeverybody would do it if anybody went first

UnplayedThe Stag HuntSit down →

TABLE 05 · Climate and Shared Resources

THE BAYeveryone takes a little more, and each of them is being reasonable

UnplayedThe CommonsSit down →

TABLE 06 · Markets and Money

THE CLOSED BOXwhat they know, what they think you know, what they can prove

UnplayedScreening and Adverse SelectionSit down →

TABLE 07 · Crime and Policing

TUESDAYS AT FOURone of you wants to be where the other is not

UnplayedThe Inspection GameSit down →

TABLE 08 · Law and Courts

THE PUBLISHED POLICYthe only way to win is to lose your own ability to lose

UnplayedCommitmentSit down →