Tag: Signaling Games

Decisions Matter: Game Theory
in Billions – Part II

In case you missed Part I, you can see it here.

We are getting into more intricate territory in Season 1 Episode 6 The Deal with Wendy now getting involved in the game with her two boys! 😀

Paul Giamatti, Maggie Siff and Damian Lewis at a Billions photo shoot at TCA 2017

Costly Signaling

We see Bobby playing a textbook signaling game in The Deal like Chuck does in The Pilot. He invites Wendy to a meeting at a very unusual spot: A spa pool. Bobby wants to make sure no one is listening but also, and more importantly, wants to find out whether Wendy is loyal or not. We know where Axe stands on loyalty from what he said to Mafee earlier: “You don’t try to be loyal. You just are. Or you’re not.” It is loyalty that rules Bobby Axelrod’s billions. Continue reading “Decisions Matter: Game Theory in Billions – Part II”

Decisions Matter: Game Theory in
Billions – Part I

Game Theory. A term we have repeatedly heard on Billions.

Chuck talks about his strategy to make Pete Decker sing in Season 1, Episode 3 Yum Time:

Spyros: That’s what I like to call “the prisoner’s dilemma.”

Chuck: No, you don’t like to call it that. That’s what it’s called. Started as a thought experiment, game theory in the ’50s. Does no one ever check you on this bullshit?”

Wendy talks to Axe about Krakow (without naming him) in Season 2 Episode 1 Risk Management:

source: Showtime

“And the manager played some heavy game theory on me, boxed me into a spot, essentially put himself in a position to win no matter what I said.”

Axe tries to get Taylor play in the Alpha Cup in Season 2 Episode 3 Optimal Play:

I had a feeling, pulled your resume, saw some game theory strengths, looked into it a little bit more.”

What is game theory? Continue reading “Decisions Matter: Game Theory in Billions – Part I”