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Stable sampling in repeated games

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  • Sethi, Rajiv

Abstract

This paper considers finitely repeated games played by procedurally rational players, who sample their available alternatives and use realized payoffs as a basis for strategy selection. The corresponding solution concept is that of (payoff) sampling equilibrium, which is a distribution over strategies that is self-replicating under the sampling procedure. Sampling equilibria are rest points of a disequilibrium dynamic process, and stability with respect to this process can be used as an equilibrium selection criterion. The structure of stable sampling equilibria in symmetric, finitely repeated games is characterized, and illustrated with applications to cooperation and coordination over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Sethi, Rajiv, 2021. "Stable sampling in repeated games," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jetheo:v:197:y:2021:i:c:s0022053121001605
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jet.2021.105343
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Srinivas Arigapudi & Yuval Heller & Amnon Schreiber, 2023. "Heterogeneous Noise and Stable Miscoordination," Papers 2305.10301, arXiv.org, revised Jan 2025.
    4. Florian Mudekereza, 2025. "Correlation Neglect in Games," Papers 2501.13019, arXiv.org.
    5. Arigapudi, Srinivas, 2024. "Evolutionary dynamics in bilingual games," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    6. Ryoji Sawa, 2022. "Statistical Inference in Evolutionary Dynamics," Working Papers e170, Tokyo Center for Economic Research.
    7. Berkemer, Rainer & Starke, Jens & Kawamoto, Atsushi, 2023. "Sampling dynamics applied to the traveler's dilemma reveals non-Nash behavior," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 339-356.
    8. Izquierdo, Segismundo S. & Izquierdo, Luis R., 2022. "Stability of strict equilibria in best experienced payoff dynamics: Simple formulas and applications," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    9. Arigapudi, Srinivas & Lahkar, Ratul, 2024. "Emergence of trust in the trust game under best experienced payoff dynamics," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 236(C).

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