Games of Incomplete Information: Auctions
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Questions and Answers

What characterizes a Bayesian Nash Equilibrium in games of incomplete information?

  • All players have perfect information about others' payoffs.
  • Players maximize expected payoffs based solely on their own type.
  • At least one player knows exactly what others’ valuations are.
  • Players do not deviate from their strategy based on beliefs of others' types. (correct)

In an English auction, when does the auction end?

  • As soon as a reserve price is reached.
  • When the auctioneer manually closes the bidding.
  • When a player signals they are dropping out.
  • When no one is willing to exceed the current highest bid. (correct)

Which type of auction begins at a price above the expected winning bid?

  • Second-price, sealed-bid auction.
  • English auction.
  • Dutch auction. (correct)
  • First-price, sealed-bid auction.

What is meant by valuations being 'private' in an auction context?

<p>Each bidder knows only their own valuation, which may differ from others'. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes the trade-off in all auction formats?

<p>Higher bids increase the likelihood of winning but decrease the payoff if successful. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which type of auction does the winner pay the second highest bid?

<p>Second-price, sealed-bid auction. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common application of a sealed-bid auction?

<p>Bidding for public infrastructure projects. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is information conveyed in an English auction?

<p>Via visible bids that everyone can see and respond to. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What condition weakly dominates any bid that is equal to or greater than the valuation in both English and Dutch auctions?

<p>Any bid that is less than the valuation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the first-price sealed-bid auction, what bid does Tom choose to maximize his payoff given the valuations?

<p>15 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the Nash equilibrium bid for Anne in the 1st price sealed-bid auction given her valuation?

<p>12 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens when both bidders in the 2nd price sealed-bid auction bid 12?

<p>Both receive no payoff (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a Dutch auction, when does Tom choose to bid?

<p>When the price reaches 16 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of the auction formats given complete information regarding valuations?

<p>The winner has the highest valuation and pays the second highest valuation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the revenue equivalence theorem, what determines the seller's value for the object across different auction formats?

<p>The highest valuation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What bidding strategy does Tom adopt as bid increments approach zero in the first-price sealed-bid auction?

<p>Bid his exact valuation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the English auction scenario, what is Anne's maximum bid given her known valuation?

<p>12 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Incomplete Information

At least one player lacks complete information about another player's payoff or preferences. For example, one player might not know another player's production costs, risk aversion, or willingness to pay.

Bayesian Nash Equilibrium

A strategy chosen by a player in a game where they do not have full information, where their choice is based on their own type and their beliefs about the types of other players.

First-Price Sealed-Bid Auction

An auction where buyers submit sealed bids, and the highest bidder wins and pays their bid. Often used for TV rights, licenses and government contracts.

Valuation (max WTP)

The value a buyer places on an item, representing the maximum price they are willing to pay.

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Second-Price Sealed-Bid Auction

An auction where buyers submit sealed bids, and the highest bidder wins but pays the second-highest bid. Commonly used for online auctions.

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Common Valuation

When the estimated value of an item is similar for all bidders, but each bidder's assessment of that value varies. This often applies to goods whose value can be exploited, such as TV rights or construction contracts.

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Private Valuation

Auctions where the values of the item are different for each bidder, based on their individual preferences or needs. These auctions are typical for items of personal taste, like artwork or antiques.

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English Auction

A type of auction where bidders verbally call out increasing bids, with the highest bidder winning and paying their last bid. Commonly used for art, real estate, and collectibles.

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Valuation (Vi)

The maximum price a bidder is willing to pay for an item.

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Bid (bi)

The price a bidder submits in an auction.

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Payoff (Ui)

The amount of utility a bidder receives from winning an auction.

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Dutch Auction

An auction where the price starts high and gradually decreases until a bidder accepts the price.

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Dominant Strategy

In game theory, a strategy that always yields the highest payoff regardless of the other player's actions.

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Revenue Equivalence Theorem

A situation in which, given common knowledge of valuations, the outcome is identical across different auction formats.

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Study Notes

Games of Incomplete Information: Auctions

  • Auctions involve trading items of value
  • Examples include mobile phone licenses, TV rights, works of art, public infrastructure projects, and online sales
  • Auction design impacts maximizing revenue
  • Valuations (maximum willingness to pay) can vary between buyers (either private or common)

Incomplete Information

  • Incomplete information occurs when at least one player doesn't fully know another player's payoff for certain
  • Players may signal their true type or hide it
  • Rational players maximize expected payoff based on their own type and their beliefs about other players' types
  • Bayesian Nash Equilibrium is a refined equilibrium solution where no player deviates from their strategy, given their type and beliefs about other player types

Auction Types

  • English Auction: Oral, ascending bid, first-price auction
    • Starts at a zero or reserve price
    • Ends when no one is willing to exceed the current highest bid
    • Winner pays their bid
    • Used for antiques, paintings, property, etc.
  • Dutch Auction: Oral, descending bid, first-price auction
    • Starts at a price above the expected winning bid
    • Gradually declines until a bid is made
    • Winner pays their bid
    • Used in Dutch flower market, Sydney fish market
  • First-Price, Sealed-Bid Auction: Players submit sealed bids simultaneously; highest bid wins, winner pays their bid
    • Used for TV rights, licenses, tenders
  • Second-Price, Sealed-Bid Auction: Similar to the first-price sealed-bid, but the winner pays the second-highest bid

Valuations

  • Private Valuation: Each bidder knows their own valuation precisely, but valuations may differ
  • Common Valuation: Items have (approximately) the same expected value for all bidders, but the estimate might vary
    • Can apply to contracts for transport, construction, and exploration, etc.

Valuations, Bids, and Payoffs

  • Formulas show payoffs based on bids and valuations of two bidders

Benchmark: Complete Information

  • In scenarios with two bidders (Tom & Anne) and common knowledge of their private valuations, the outcomes are similar across auction types.
  • The highest valuation wins, and the winner pays the second-highest valuation.
  • The seller receives the same value, irrespective of the auction format; the revenue equivalence theorem applies.

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Auctions PDF

Description

This quiz explores the dynamics of auctions under conditions of incomplete information. It covers various auction types, the impact of auction design on revenues, and the concept of Bayesian Nash Equilibrium. Test your understanding of how players strategize in bidding scenarios with varying valuations.

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