Andre Agassi, a star tennis player, is playing the number one player in the world, Roger Federer. Before the match, Agassi decided that he would serve 20 percent of his serves to Federer's backhand, 30 percent of his serves to Federer's forehand, and 50 percent of his serves straight at Federer. In the language of game theory, this is known as:
A) a pure strategy.
B) a dominant strategy.
C) a mixed strategy.
D) a maximin strategy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Agassi's decision to serve to Federer's backhand, forehand, or straight at him is a mixed strategy as he is choosing to use different strategies (backhand, forehand, and straight) with a certain probability (20%, 30%, and 50%). A pure strategy would involve choosing only one specific strategy (such as serving only to Federer's backhand). A dominant strategy would be a strategy that would always be the best choice, regardless of what the opponent does, but Agassi's choices will depend on Federer's reactions. A maximin strategy involves choosing the best possible option based on the worst possible outcome, but Agassi's choices again will depend on Federer's reactions. Therefore, the best choice for Agassi is a mixed strategy.

Andre Agassi, a Star Tennis Player, Is Playing the Number