truel

- a conflict between three contending persons, groups or ideas

YourDictionary

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ORIGIN & MEANING

The word truel (a blend of trial and duel) was introduced in Martin Shubik’s 1964 book Game Theory and Related Approaches to Social Behavior, and independently in Richard Epstein’s 1967 book Theory of Gambling and Statistical Logic.

A truel is a three-way duel - basically a deadly confrontation between three people instead of the usual two in a regular duel. Think of it as a three-way gunfight or standoff where everyone is an opponent of everyone else.

It's a term often used in game theory and probability puzzles because it creates interesting strategic scenarios. For instance, in a truel, sometimes the person who shoots worst might have the best chance of surviving because the better shooters might target each other first!

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SUPERRATIONALITY

Superrationality is a decision-making technique that solves complex dilemmas such as the Mexican Standoff, the Prisoner’s Dilemma, and the TRUEL.

Superrationality assumes that players can transcend their self interests to seek an optimal solution for everyone. If all the players of a truel are superrational, they will walk away from the standoff because they realize the game is to no one’s advantage. They can see beyond the game.

Sadly, superrationality is not evidenced by history,… and neither by politics globally at the moment!

Helga & Paul Smith

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SYNONYMS

battle/clash/conflict/contest of three, cross-three combat, deadly triangle, fatal threesome (triangle), final three-way, lethal lottery, mortal triangle, standoff, three-part standoff, three-person conflict, three-way battle (clash, confrontation, contest, deadly dance/duel, encounter, duel, face-off), threefold fight, triangular clash (duel, showdown, standoff), triangular, tripartite takedown, TRUEL

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“In any TRUEL,... unfortunately trust is the first casualty.”

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