Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2408.02058 · Physical Review A

Bayesian rational agents in iterated quantum games

John B. DeBrota, Peter J. Love

Published Apr 10, 2026• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We apply a Bayesian agent-based framework inspired by QBism to iterations of two quantum games, the CHSH game and the quantum prisoners' dilemma. In each two-player game, players hold beliefs about an amount of shared entanglement and about the actions or beliefs of the other player. Each takes actions which maximize their expected utility and revises their beliefs with the classical Bayes rule between rounds. We simulate iterated play to see if and how players can learn about the presence of shared entanglement and to explore how their performance, their beliefs, and the game's structure interrelate. In the CHSH game, we find that players can learn that entanglement is present and use this to achieve quantum advantage. We find that they can only do so if they also believe the other player will act correctly to exploit the entanglement. In the case of low or zero entanglement in the CHSH game, the players cannot achieve quantum advantage, even in the case where they believe the entanglement is higher than it is. For the prisoners dilemma, we show that assuming 1-fold rational players (rational players who believe the other player is also rational) reduces the quantum extension [Eisert, Wilkens, and Lewenstein, Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 3077 (1999)] of the prisoners dilemma to a game with only two strategies, one of which (defect) is dominant for low entanglement, and the other (the quantum strategy Q) is dominant for high entanglement. For intermediate entanglement, neither strategy is dominant. We again show that players can learn entanglement in iterated play. We also show that strong belief in entanglement causes optimal play even in the absence of entanglement -- showing that belief in entanglement is acting as a proxy for the players trusting each other. Our work points to possible future applications in resource detection and quantum algorithm design.

DOI
10.1103/vj16-6jyn

Related papers

Nonlocality, entanglement, and randomness in different conflicting interest Bayesian games

Hargeet Kaur, Atul Kumar

We analyse different Bayesian games where payoffs of players depend on the types of players involved in a two-player game. The dependence is assumed to commensurate with the CHSH game setting. For this, we consider two different types of each player (Alice and Bob) in the game, thus resulting in four different games clubbed together as one Bayesian game. Considering different combinations of common interest, and conflicting interest coordination and anti-coordination games, we find that quantum strategies are always preferred over classical strategies if the shared resource is a pure non-maximally entangled state. However, when the shared resource is a class of mixed state, then quantum strategies are useful only for a given range of the state parameter. Surprisingly, when all conflicting interest games (Battle of the Sexes game and Chicken game) are merged into the Bayesian game picture, then the best strategy for Alice and Bob is to share a set of non-maximally entangled pure states. We demonstrate that this set not only gives higher payoff than any classical strategy, but also outperforms a maximally entangled pure Bell state, mixed Werner states, and Horodecki states. We further propose the representation of a special class of Bell inequality- tilted Bell inequality, as a common as well as conflicting interest Bayesian game. We thereafter, study the effect of sharing an arbitrary two-qubit pure state and a class of mixed state as quantum resource in those games; thus verifying that non-maximally entangled states with high randomness help attain maximum quantum benefit. Additionally, we propose a general framework of a two-player Bayesian game for d-dimensions Bell-CHSH inequality, with and without the tilt factor.

Quantum Information and Computation•Sep 1, 2020•2 citations

Four-Qubit CHSH Games

Joaquim Jusseau, Hamza Jaffali, Frédéric Holweck

In this paper, the CHSH quantum game is extended to four players. This is achieved by exploring all possible 4-variable Boolean functions to identify those that yield a game scenario with a quantum advantage using a specific entangled state. Notably, two new four-player quantum games are presented. In one game, the optimal quantum strategy is achieved when players share a $GHZ$-state, breaking the traditional 10\% gain observed in 2 and 3 qubit CHSH games and achieving a 22.5\% gap. In the other game, players gain a greater advantage using a $W$-state as their quantum resource. Quantum games with other four-qubit entangled states are also explored. To demonstrate the results, these game scenarios are implemented on an online quantum computer, and the advantage of the respective quantum resource for each game is experimentally verified.

arXiv:2411.15536•Nov 23, 2024•0 citations

The Superiority of Quantum Strategy in 3-Player Prisoner’s Dilemma

Zhiyuan Dong, Ai‐Guo Wu

In this paper, we extend the quantum game theory of Prisoner’s Dilemma to the N-player case. The final state of quantum game theory of N-player Prisoner’s Dilemma is derived, which can be used to investigate the payoff of each player. As demonstration, two cases (2-player and 3-player) are studied to illustrate the superiority of quantum strategy in the game theory. Specifically, the non-unique entanglement parameter is found to maximize the total payoff, which oscillates periodically. Finally, the optimal strategic set is proved to depend on the selection of initial states.

Mathematics•Jun 21, 2021•1 citation

Entanglement in the Quantum Volunteer's Dilemma

Noah Dane Hebdon, Dax Enshan Koh

A well-known model in game theory, the Volunteer's Dilemma describes a group of $n$ players who decide whether to volunteer for a collective benefit at a personal cost, or to abstain and risk forfeiting the benefit altogether. A quantum version of this dilemma, developed within the Eisert-Wilkens-Lewenstein framework, allows each player to manipulate one qubit of a shared entangled state, leading to symmetric Nash equilibria with higher expected payoffs than in the classical game. Existing analyses, however, assume maximal entanglement, which is experimentally demanding for hardware-constrained quantum systems. Within the same framework, we introduce a generalized Quantum Volunteer's Dilemma with a tunable entanglement parameter $γ$ and study the extent to which equilibrium behavior depends on the level of entanglement. We derive explicit conditions relating $γ$, the number of players, and the players' strategies under which symmetric Nash equilibria exist, focusing on two canonical strategy profiles: one for $2\leq n\leq 9$, and one for even $n$. We find that maximal entanglement is not required to sustain symmetric equilibria. Instead, equilibrium behavior persists above a threshold value, which we compute analytically in both cases. We also demonstrate that the threshold value directly depends on system size.

quant-pharXiv:2606.08227•Physical Review A•Jun 9, 2026•0 citations

A quantum approach to twice-repeated $$2\times 2$$ game

Katarzyna Rycerz, Piotr Frąckiewicz

Abstract This work proposes an extension of the well-known Eisert–Wilkens–Lewenstein scheme for playing a twice repeated $$2\times 2$$ 2 × 2 game using a single quantum system with ten maximally entangled qubits. The proposed scheme is then applied to the Prisoner’s Dilemma game. Rational strategy profiles are examined in the presence of limited awareness of the players. In particular, the paper considers two cases of a classical player against a quantum player game: the first case when the classical player does not know that his opponent is a quantum one and the second case, when the classical player is aware of it. To this end, the notion of unawareness was used, and the extended Nash equilibria were determined.

Quantum Information Processing•Jul 29, 2020•6 citations

On Topics in Quantum Games

Y. Avishai

This work concentrates on simultaneous move non-cooperating quantum games. Part of it is evidently not new, but it is included for the sake self consistence, as it is devoted to introduction of the mathematical and physical grounds of the pertinent topics, and the way in which a simple classical game is modified to become a quantum game (a procedure referred to as a quantization of a classical game). The connection between game theory and information science is briefly stressed, and the role of quantum entanglement (that plays a central role in the theory of quantum games), is exposed. Armed with these tools, we investigate some basic concepts like the existence (or absence) of a pure strategy and mixed strategy Nash equilibrium and its relation with the degree of entanglement. The main results of this work are as follows: 1) Construction of a numerical algorithm based on the method of best response functions, designed to search for pure strategy Nash equilibrium in quantum games. The formalism is based on the discretization of a continuous variable into a mesh of points, and can be applied to quantum games that are built upon two-players two-strategies classical games, based on the method of best response functions. 2) Application of this algorithm to study the question of how the existence of pure strategy Nash equilibrium is related to the degree of entanglement (specified by a continuous parameter γ ). It is shown that when the classical game GC has a pure strategy Nash equilibrium that is not Pareto efficient, then the quantum game GQ with maximal entanglement (γ = π/2) has no pure strategy Nash equilibrium. By studying a non-symmetric prisoner dilemma game, it is found that there is a critical value 0γc such that for γγc there is a pure strategy Nash equilibrium and for γ≥γc there is no pure strategy Nash equilibrium. The behavior of the two payoffs as function of γ starts at that of the classical ones at (D, D) and approaches the cooperative classical ones at (C, C) (C = confess, D = don’t confess). 3) We then study Bayesian quantum games and show that under certain conditions, there is a pure strategy Nash equilibrium in such games even when entanglement is maximal. 4) We define the basic ingredients of a quantum game based on a two-player three strategies classical game. This requires the introduction of trits (instead of bits) and quantum trits (instead of quantum bits). It is proved that in this quantum game, there is no classical commensurability in the sense that the classical strategies are not obtained as a special case of the quantum strategies.

Journal of Quantum Information Science•Jan 1, 2023•9 citations
We apply a Bayesian agent-based framework inspired by QBism to iterations of two quantum games, the CHSH game and the quantum prisoners' dilemma. In each two-player game, players hold beliefs about an amount of shared entanglement and about the actions or beliefs of the other player. Each takes actions which maximize their expected utility and revises their beliefs with the classical Bayes rule between rounds. We simulate iterated play to see if and how players can learn about the presence of shared entanglement and to explore how their performance, their beliefs, and the game's structure interrelate. In the CHSH game, we find that players can learn that entanglement is present and use this to achieve quantum advantage. We find that they can only do so if they also believe the other player will act correctly to exploit the entanglement. In the case of low or zero entanglement in the CHSH game, the players cannot achieve quantum advantage, even in the case where they believe the entanglement is higher than it is. For the prisoners dilemma, we show that assuming 1-fold rational players (rational players who believe the other player is also rational) reduces the quantum extension [Eisert, Wilkens, and Lewenstein, Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 3077 (1999)] of the prisoners dilemma to a game with only two strategies, one of which (defect) is dominant for low entanglement, and the other (the quantum strategy Q) is dominant for high entanglement. For intermediate entanglement, neither strategy is dominant. We again show that players can learn entanglement in iterated play. We also show that strong belief in entanglement causes optimal play even in the absence of entanglement -- showing that belief in entanglement is acting as a proxy for the players trusting each other. Our work points to possible future applications in resource detection and quantum algorithm design.
We analyse different Bayesian games where payoffs of players depend on the types of players involved in a two-player game. The dependence is assumed to commensurate with the CHSH game setting. For this, we consider two different types of each player (Alice and Bob) in the game, thus resulting in four different games clubbed together as one Bayesian game. Considering different combinations of common interest, and conflicting interest coordination and anti-coordination games, we find that quantum strategies are always preferred over classical strategies if the shared resource is a pure non-maximally entangled state. However, when the shared resource is a class of mixed state, then quantum strategies are useful only for a given range of the state parameter. Surprisingly, when all conflicting interest games (Battle of the Sexes game and Chicken game) are merged into the Bayesian game picture, then the best strategy for Alice and Bob is to share a set of non-maximally entangled pure states. We demonstrate that this set not only gives higher payoff than any classical strategy, but also outperforms a maximally entangled pure Bell state, mixed Werner states, and Horodecki states. We further propose the representation of a special class of Bell inequality- tilted Bell inequality, as a common as well as conflicting interest Bayesian game. We thereafter, study the effect of sharing an arbitrary two-qubit pure state and a class of mixed state as quantum resource in those games; thus verifying that non-maximally entangled states with high randomness help attain maximum quantum benefit. Additionally, we propose a general framework of a two-player Bayesian game for d-dimensions Bell-CHSH inequality, with and without the tilt factor.
In this paper, the CHSH quantum game is extended to four players. This is achieved by exploring all possible 4-variable Boolean functions to identify those that yield a game scenario with a quantum advantage using a specific entangled state. Notably, two new four-player quantum games are presented. In one game, the optimal quantum strategy is achieved when players share a GHZGHZGHZ-state, breaking the traditional 10\% gain observed in 2 and 3 qubit CHSH games and achieving a 22.5\% gap. In the other game, players gain a greater advantage using a WWW-state as their quantum resource. Quantum games with other four-qubit entangled states are also explored. To demonstrate the results, these game scenarios are implemented on an online quantum computer, and the advantage of the respective quantum resource for each game is experimentally verified.
In this paper, we extend the quantum game theory of Prisoner’s Dilemma to the N-player case. The final state of quantum game theory of N-player Prisoner’s Dilemma is derived, which can be used to investigate the payoff of each player. As demonstration, two cases (2-player and 3-player) are studied to illustrate the superiority of quantum strategy in the game theory. Specifically, the non-unique entanglement parameter is found to maximize the total payoff, which oscillates periodically. Finally, the optimal strategic set is proved to depend on the selection of initial states.
A well-known model in game theory, the Volunteer's Dilemma describes a group of nnn players who decide whether to volunteer for a collective benefit at a personal cost, or to abstain and risk forfeiting the benefit altogether. A quantum version of this dilemma, developed within the Eisert-Wilkens-Lewenstein framework, allows each player to manipulate one qubit of a shared entangled state, leading to symmetric Nash equilibria with higher expected payoffs than in the classical game. Existing analyses, however, assume maximal entanglement, which is experimentally demanding for hardware-constrained quantum systems. Within the same framework, we introduce a generalized Quantum Volunteer's Dilemma with a tunable entanglement parameter γγγ and study the extent to which equilibrium behavior depends on the level of entanglement. We derive explicit conditions relating γγγ, the number of players, and the players' strategies under which symmetric Nash equilibria exist, focusing on two canonical strategy profiles: one for 2≤n≤92\leq n\leq 92≤n≤9, and one for even nnn. We find that maximal entanglement is not required to sustain symmetric equilibria. Instead, equilibrium behavior persists above a threshold value, which we compute analytically in both cases. We also demonstrate that the threshold value directly depends on system size.
A quantum approach to twice-repeated 2×22\times 22×2 game
Abstract This work proposes an extension of the well-known Eisert–Wilkens–Lewenstein scheme for playing a twice repeated 2×22\times 22×2 2 × 2 game using a single quantum system with ten maximally entangled qubits. The proposed scheme is then applied to the Prisoner’s Dilemma game. Rational strategy profiles are examined in the presence of limited awareness of the players. In particular, the paper considers two cases of a classical player against a quantum player game: the first case when the classical player does not know that his opponent is a quantum one and the second case, when the classical player is aware of it. To this end, the notion of unawareness was used, and the extended Nash equilibria were determined.
This work concentrates on simultaneous move non-cooperating quantum games. Part of it is evidently not new, but it is included for the sake self consistence, as it is devoted to introduction of the mathematical and physical grounds of the pertinent topics, and the way in which a simple classical game is modified to become a quantum game (a procedure referred to as a quantization of a classical game). The connection between game theory and information science is briefly stressed, and the role of quantum entanglement (that plays a central role in the theory of quantum games), is exposed. Armed with these tools, we investigate some basic concepts like the existence (or absence) of a pure strategy and mixed strategy Nash equilibrium and its relation with the degree of entanglement. The main results of this work are as follows: 1) Construction of a numerical algorithm based on the method of best response functions, designed to search for pure strategy Nash equilibrium in quantum games. The formalism is based on the discretization of a continuous variable into a mesh of points, and can be applied to quantum games that are built upon two-players two-strategies classical games, based on the method of best response functions. 2) Application of this algorithm to study the question of how the existence of pure strategy Nash equilibrium is related to the degree of entanglement (specified by a continuous parameter γ ). It is shown that when the classical game GC has a pure strategy Nash equilibrium that is not Pareto efficient, then the quantum game GQ with maximal entanglement (γ = π/2) has no pure strategy Nash equilibrium. By studying a non-symmetric prisoner dilemma game, it is found that there is a critical value 0γc such that for γγc there is a pure strategy Nash equilibrium and for γ≥γc there is no pure strategy Nash equilibrium. The behavior of the two payoffs as function of γ starts at that of the classical ones at (D, D) and approaches the cooperative classical ones at (C, C) (C = confess, D = don’t confess). 3) We then study Bayesian quantum games and show that under certain conditions, there is a pure strategy Nash equilibrium in such games even when entanglement is maximal. 4) We define the basic ingredients of a quantum game based on a two-player three strategies classical game. This requires the introduction of trits (instead of bits) and quantum trits (instead of quantum bits). It is proved that in this quantum game, there is no classical commensurability in the sense that the classical strategies are not obtained as a special case of the quantum strategies.