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In [[game theory]], a '''sequential game''' is a [[game]] where one player chooses their action before the others choose theirs.

== Description ==

Importantly, the later players must have some [[information]] of the first's choice, otherwise the difference in time would have no strategic effect.

Sequential games hence are governed by the time axis, and represented in the form of [[Decision tree|decision trees]].

Unlike sequential games, [[Simultaneous game|simultaneous games]] do not have a time axis as players choose their moves without being sure of the other's, and are usually represented in the form of payoff matrices.

[[Extensive-form game|Extensive-form games]] are usually used for sequential games, since they explicitly illustrate the sequential aspects of a game.

[[Combinatorial game theory|Combinatorial games]] are usually sequential games.

True games such as [[chess]], [[backgammon]], [[tic-tac-toe]] and [[Go]] are typical sequential games.

The size of the decision trees can vary according to game complexity, ranging from a small and exhaustive game tree of tic-tac-toe, to the immensely complex game tree of chess so large that even [[computers]] have trouble mapping out completely.

Sequential games with [[perfect information]] are often solved by [[backward induction]].

== See also ==

* [[Combinatorial game theory]]
* [[Decision tree]]
* [[Extensive-form game]]
* [[Game theory]]

== External links ==

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequential_game Sequential game] @ Wikipedia


[[Category:Game theory]]
[[Category:Games]]