juniorGame Theory
What is zero-sum game?
Updated May 16, 2026
Short answer
A zero-sum game is one where one player's gain equals another player's loss.
Deep explanation
In zero-sum games, total payoff remains constant. One player's advantage directly corresponds to another's disadvantage. These are common in competitive environments.
Real-world example
Chess and poker are classic zero-sum games.
Common mistakes
- Assuming all real-world games are zero-sum.
Follow-up questions
- Are business markets zero-sum?
- What is non-zero-sum game?