Game Theory is defined as,
"A mathematical method of making decisions in which
a competitive situation is analyzed to determine the
optimal course of action for an interested party . . ."
- The American Heritage Science Dictionary

the origins of Game Theory can be traced back
to the 1700s, but but it wasn't until the 1950s that
mathematicians such as John Nash established it as
a major field of inquiry

since then, Game Theory has been successfully
applied to political, economic, and military planning;
and three mathematicians have been awarded
the Nobel Prize for their work in this field

among them is John Nash, who was the subject
of the film A Beautiful Mind (2001)

in the video below, mathematician Ken Binmore
applies Game theory to the art of bluffing in poker



the above video’s soundtrack includes an excerpt
from a BBC 4 Another 5 Numbers podcast,
which can be heard in full here