Models can help us win. You know more about game theory than you think. The more we know and can apply, the better chance at success. In a competitive world, do we win with skill, luck, or something else? The Colonel Blotto model (below) helps sort out competition. Models work in many circumstances, too.
- Electoral college (distribution of time and money)
- Anti-terrorism (money and technology)
- Law (defense strategies)
- Hiring/admissions (what parameters do we choose?)
- Sports (multiple frontiers)
Watching the video introduces the basketball dilemma we all face, application of limited resources. "It's all about strategic mismatches."
- Any strategy can be beaten (UMBC/UVa, Harvard/Stanford women)
- You don't need all your players
- Figure out where your opponent places players
You're thinking, "this has nothing to do with basketball." Au contraire...basketball often relies on strategic positioning.
1. Zone offense overload
2. Pressure defense/trapping
3. Defense (load to the ball)
4. Mismatches (via switching)
5. Tactics (to create mismatches, "Draw 2", offensive sets)
How do we win the "Blotto basketball" game?
- More troops (recruiting, other attraction - keep players 'home')
- More troops (depth)
- More skilled troops (technique)
- Better deployment (tactics)
As the number of fronts increases, the larger the number or troops (resource advantage) needed.
In basketball "dimensions" might include unorthodox strategies, trick plays, stall ball, and pace of play..."weaker opponents add new dimensions..."
With multiple player games (e.g. leagues), 1 may beat 2 who may beat 3, but 3 may still beat 1 (cycles are common).
But history says more troops doesn't alway equal victory (Chancellorsville).
Strategic positioning can impact outcomes (e.g. Thermopylae)
Takeaways:
- Understanding game theory helps winners
- Game theory helps quantify the value of more and better resources
- Create strategic mismatches
- Create mismatches in personnel, talent, and spacing
- Weaker opponents can succeed by adding more dimensions
Lagniappe. This action informs spacing, player and ball movement, and the "scoring moment."
Lagniappe 2. Some people will always have Paris. Kathy Delaney-Smith and Harvard will always have Stanford. A future Emergency Room doctor, Suzie Miller, scored the winning basket with 0:46 left.
