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:2605.15747

Quantum game theory for 2 2 games: a mathematical framework

Gloria Ferraris, Veronica Umanità

quant-phmath-phSubmitted May 15, 2026• Announced May 18, 2026• 0 citations
v1 · May 15, 2026v2 · Jul 28, 2026
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We develop a rigorous mathematical framework for quantum game theory applied to static 2x2 games, extending classical concepts to the quantum setting where players may employ arbitrary unitary operations (pure strategies) or probability measures over the continuous group SU(2) (mixed strategies). The Eisert-Wilkens-Lewenstein protocol is introduced as the standard implementation of quantum 2x2 games. We prove the existence of Nash equilibria for continuous quantum mixed strategies via a fixed-point argument, generalising the classical Nash theorem to the quantum case.

Comments
15 pages

Related papers

Quantumizing Classical Games: An Introduction to Quantum Game Theory

Sowmitra Das

We give a concise and self-contained introduction to the theory of Quantum Games by reviewing the seminal works of Meyer, Eisert-Wilkens-Lewenstein, Marinatto-Weber and Landsburg, which initiated the study of this field. By generalizing this body of work, we formulate a protocol to $\textit{Quantumize}$ any finite classical $n$-player game, and use a novel approach of describing such a Quantum Game in terms of commuting Payoff Operators. We describe what advantages can be gained by players by quantumizing such a game, particularly, what additional Nash Equilibria the players can achieve and the Pareto-Optimality of these additional equilibria.

arXiv:2305.00368•Apr 30, 2023•0 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

Quantum Games with Strategies Induced by Basis Change Rules

Piotr Frąckiewicz, Jarosław Pykacz

The aim of the paper is to draw attention to a special class of two parameter unitary strategies in the Eisert-Wilkens-Lewenstein scheme for quantum games. We identify the players’ strategies with basis change matrices. Then we prove that the resulting quantum game is invariant with respect to isomorphic transformations of the input game. Moreover, it is shown that the game so obtained may not be trivial with respect to pure Nash equilibria, compared with the model with strategies being the special unitary group SU (2).

International Journal of Theoretical Physics•May 26, 2017•6 citations

Non-Classical Rules in Quantum Games

Piotr Frąckiewicz

Over the last twenty years, quantum game theory has given us many ideas of how quantum games could be played. One of the most prominent ideas in the field is a model of quantum playing bimatrix games introduced by J. Eisert, M. Wilkens and M. Lewenstein. The scheme assumes that players' strategies are unitary operations and the players act on the maximally entangled two-qubit state. The quantum nature of the scheme has been under discussion since the article by Eisert et al. came out. The aim of our paper was to identify some of non-classical features of the quantum scheme.

arXiv:2012.06915•Entropy•May 13, 2021•5 citations

Quantum Game Theory: Transforming Nash Equilibrium Through Superposition, Entanglement, and Interference

易先 周

In classical game theory, players are limited to deterministic strategies or probabilistic mixed strategies. Quantum game theory introduces quantum mechanical principles—superposition and entanglement—fundamentally altering game structures and redefining Nash equilibria.

•Jul 10, 2026•0 citations

A new quantum game framework: When player strategies are via directional choices

Azhar Iqbal, Derek Abbott

For two-player quantum games, a Nash equilibrium consists of a pair of unitary operators. Here we present a scheme for such games in which each player's strategy consists of choosing the orientation of a unit vector and Nash equilibria of the game are directional pairs. Corresponding classical games are then recovered from constraints placed on each player's directional choices.

•Jul 2, 2021•0 citations
We develop a rigorous mathematical framework for quantum game theory applied to static 2x2 games, extending classical concepts to the quantum setting where players may employ arbitrary unitary operations (pure strategies) or probability measures over the continuous group SU(2) (mixed strategies). The Eisert-Wilkens-Lewenstein protocol is introduced as the standard implementation of quantum 2x2 games. We prove the existence of Nash equilibria for continuous quantum mixed strategies via a fixed-point argument, generalising the classical Nash theorem to the quantum case.
We give a concise and self-contained introduction to the theory of Quantum Games by reviewing the seminal works of Meyer, Eisert-Wilkens-Lewenstein, Marinatto-Weber and Landsburg, which initiated the study of this field. By generalizing this body of work, we formulate a protocol to Quantumize\textit{Quantumize}Quantumize any finite classical nnn-player game, and use a novel approach of describing such a Quantum Game in terms of commuting Payoff Operators. We describe what advantages can be gained by players by quantumizing such a game, particularly, what additional Nash Equilibria the players can achieve and the Pareto-Optimality of these additional equilibria.
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.
The aim of the paper is to draw attention to a special class of two parameter unitary strategies in the Eisert-Wilkens-Lewenstein scheme for quantum games. We identify the players’ strategies with basis change matrices. Then we prove that the resulting quantum game is invariant with respect to isomorphic transformations of the input game. Moreover, it is shown that the game so obtained may not be trivial with respect to pure Nash equilibria, compared with the model with strategies being the special unitary group SU (2).
Over the last twenty years, quantum game theory has given us many ideas of how quantum games could be played. One of the most prominent ideas in the field is a model of quantum playing bimatrix games introduced by J. Eisert, M. Wilkens and M. Lewenstein. The scheme assumes that players' strategies are unitary operations and the players act on the maximally entangled two-qubit state. The quantum nature of the scheme has been under discussion since the article by Eisert et al. came out. The aim of our paper was to identify some of non-classical features of the quantum scheme.