Stag Hunt

Stag Hunt is a major dilemma in game theory that deals with the assumption of risk by a group of players. When many players cooperate in the attempt to do something risky, some players might try to opt out and find something with less risk but less value. This becomes even more of a problem when those "defecting" players make it more likely that the group will fail at their own task.

This is an important dilemma because of its obvious implications to any form of cooperation. When you believe that anyone might opt out, it is in your own interest to opt out as well. Players then need to create incentives for cooperation or penalties for defection so that players remain part of the group.