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Decision Making in a Sequential Game

Author

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  • Alan Deck
  • Cary Deck
  • Zhen Zhu

Abstract

This article uses data from NASCAR to examine strategic decision making with professional players and high stakes. The authors look at driver decisions to pit, enabling car performance to be improved at the cost of track position. Unlike other sports choices that have been used to test game-theoretic play, pitting decisions occur sequentially. Therefore, optimal decision making should result in the sub-game perfect equilibrium outcome. After estimating the likelihood of successfully passing another driver, the authors find some evidence that drivers make optimal decisions; however, driver behavior is also consistent with a simple heuristic of following the preceding car.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan Deck & Cary Deck & Zhen Zhu, 2014. "Decision Making in a Sequential Game," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 15(2), pages 132-149, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jospec:v:15:y:2014:i:2:p:132-149
    DOI: 10.1177/1527002512443828
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jeremy T. Schwartz & Justin P. Isaacs & Anthony M. Carilli, 2007. "To Race or to Place?," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 8(6), pages 633-641, December.
    2. Mark Walker & John Wooders, 2001. "Minimax Play at Wimbledon," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 91(5), pages 1521-1538, December.
    3. P.-A. Chiappori, 2002. "Testing Mixed-Strategy Equilibria When Players Are Heterogeneous: The Case of Penalty Kicks in Soccer," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 92(4), pages 1138-1151, September.
    4. Brad Humphreys & Bernd Frick, 2019. "Prize Structure and Performance: Evidence from NASCAR," Economies, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-13, October.
    5. Craig A. Depken II & Dennis P. Wilson, 2004. "The Efficiency of the NASCAR Reward System," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 5(4), pages 371-386, November.
    6. Peter Von Allmen, 2001. "Is the Reward System in NASCAR Efficient?," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 2(1), pages 62-79, February.
    7. Ignacio Palacios-Huerta, 2001. "Professionals Play Minimax," Working Papers 2001-17, Brown University, Department of Economics.
    8. Steven D. Levitt & John A. List & Sally E. Sadoff, 2011. "Checkmate: Exploring Backward Induction among Chess Players," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 101(2), pages 975-990, April.
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    10. Ignacio Palacios-Huerta, 2003. "Professionals Play Minimax," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 70(2), pages 395-415.
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    Cited by:

    1. Brad Humphreys & Bernd Frick, 2019. "Prize Structure and Performance: Evidence from NASCAR," Economies, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-13, October.
    2. David M. Yaskewich, 2017. "Heterogeneous Ability and Risk Taking in a Rank-Order Tournament," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 18(8), pages 803-830, December.

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