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Stochastic Asymmetric Blotto Games: Theory and Experimental Evidence

Author

Listed:
  • John Duffy
  • Alexander Matros

Abstract

We study a 2-player Blotto game where the n items have asymmetric values. The winner of each item is determined stochastically using a lottery mechanism. We analyze two payoff objectives: (i) players maximize their total expected payoffs and (ii) players maximize their probability of winning a majority value of all items. We develop new theoretical results for the majority rule case and show how that payoff objective results in qualitatively different equilibrium behavior than the total expected payoff objective. We report results from an experiment where the two payoff objectives are compared and find strong support for our theoretical predictions.

Suggested Citation

  • John Duffy & Alexander Matros, 2013. "Stochastic Asymmetric Blotto Games: Theory and Experimental Evidence," Working Paper 509, Department of Economics, University of Pittsburgh, revised Nov 2013.
    • Handle: RePEc:pit:wpaper:509
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    File URL: http://www.ewi-ssl.pitt.edu/econ/files/faculty/wp/131121_wp_DuffyJohn_bld131120.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Subhasish M Chowdhury & Dan Kovenock & David Rojo Arjona & Nathaniel T Wilcox, 2021. "Focality and Asymmetry in Multi-Battle Contests," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 131(636), pages 1593-1619.
    2. Deck, Cary & Sarangi, Sudipta & Wiser, Matt, 2017. "An experimental investigation of simultaneous multi-battle contests with strategic complementarities," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 117-134.
    3. Montero García, María & Possajennikow, Alex & Sefton, Martín & Turocy, Theodore L., 2013. "Majoritarian Contests with Asymmetric Battlefields: An Experiment," IKERLANAK 11222, Universidad del País Vasco - Departamento de Fundamentos del Análisis Económico I.
    4. Rafael Hortala-Vallve & Aniol Llorente-Saguer, 2015. "An Experiment on Non-Zero Sum Colonel Blotto Games," Working Papers 779, Queen Mary University of London, School of Economics and Finance.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Colonel Blotto game; Contests; Resource Allocation; Lotteries; Electoral College; Game Theory; Political Economy; Experimental Economics.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games
    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions

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