Player 2
Hawk Dove
Player Hawk
(V-C)/2 V
0 V/2
1 Dove
 
 
 
The Hawk-Dove game.

The hawk strategy is always aggressive until until it is injured or wins the resource.

The dove pursues a bluff strategy, retreating if the opponent escalates.

V = value of resource
C = cost of fighting

If 2 doves meet, each receives half the value of the resource (V/2).

If 2 hawks meet, each has a 50% chance of winning the resource (V/2), also a 50% chance of being injured (C/2), for a total expected payoff of (V-C)/2).

When V > C, the hawk strategy is favored.