Game Theory & Decision
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Minimax Value

Best worst-case payoff a player can guarantee.

Formula

v=max⁡amin⁡bu(a,b)v = \max_a \min_b u(a,b)

Variables

vMinimax value
aYour strategy
bOpponent strategy
uPayoff

Example

Choose the move whose worst outcome is least bad.

Did You Know?

Von Neumann's 1928 minimax theorem proved every two-player zero-sum game has a well-defined optimal value.

game theoryminimaxstrategy

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