---
title: Stag Hunt
tags:
  - topic/math
up: "[[game-theory]]"
---
# Stag Hunt

In [[game-theory]], the **stag hunt** is a stereotypical game
which describes two actors, each with the same two options,
which they must commit to without knowledge of the other's decision
hunt stag or hunt hare.
If a hunter chooses to hunt hare, they will catch it.
A stag, however, can only be taken by the hunters in cooperation,
so if only one hunter chooses to hunt stag,
that one will catch nothing and go hungry.

| Hunter A \ Hunter B     | Hunter B: Hunt Stag  | Hunter B: Hunt Hare  |
|:----------------------- |:--------------------:|:--------------------:|
| **Hunter A: Hunt Stag** | Eat stag \ Eat stag  | Go hungry \ Eat hare |
| **Hunter A: Hunt Hare** | Eat hare \ Go hungry | Eat hare \ Eat hare  |

Whether hunting stag or hare becomes the dominant strategy
depends on the relative payoff of each
and each actor's trust in the other to cooperate.

The value in understanding this game
is understanding that "selfishness"
is largely not a inherent quality of individuals,
but a response to [[incentives]].
