truel
noun

- conflict between three contending persons, groups or ideas

YourDictionary

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ORIGIN

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.

An alternative name for truel is “Mexican standoff”.

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If you watch action movies this decision making dilemma will be familiar.

In a duel, it’s an advantage to shoot first. However if three opponents duel (i.e. truel), it’s a disadvantage to shoot first because if A shoots B, C will shoot A.

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Superrationality & The Truel

Superrationality is a decision making technique that solves complex dilemmas such as the Truel (or Mexican Standoff) and Prisoner’s Dilemma.

Superrationality assumes that players can transcend their self interests to seek an optimal solution for everyone.

If all the players of a truel Mexican standoff 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.

Logically, the Mexican standoff should end peacefully because nobody has an incentive to shoot first. If the players are superrational that’s exactly what happens.

Sadly, superrationality is not evidenced by history and doesn’t make for good cinema!

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SYNONYMS

deadlock, drawn battle, full stop, impasse, logjam, showdown, standstill, stalemate, standoff

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In one of the most famous spaghetti westerns, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, the final showdown is played out in a climactic TRUEL among the three main characters: Blondie (“The Good”), Angel Eyes (“The Bad”), and Tuco (“The Ugly”). The standoff remains a signature piece for director Sergio Leone and one of the best-known scenes in film history.

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