Viva Las Vegas: The Unexpected Parallels Between Poker and Business

As a first-year MBA student, every new experience is an opportunity to grow. Attending my first weekend residential course was both exciting and inspiring. When I saw that Game Theory and Competitive Strategy was being offered as a weekend course, in Las Vegas no less, I knew I had to take advantage of this opportunity. The chance to explore competitive strategy in a city built on strategic decisions made it too compelling to pass up.

Las Vegas was the perfect backdrop for this course. Strategy is embedded in the city's foundation—and profit-making. Walking out of class with new perspectives and seeing negotiation, competition and incentives at play in real time was an eye-opening experience. Whether observing pricing strategies at a high-stakes poker table or watching how businesses compete for customer attention, the Strip was a living case study in game theory.

Learning from a Game Theory Expert

Professor Victor Stango’s deep understanding of economic strategy, combined with real world applications, made complex concepts feel intuitive. His teaching style encouraged us to think critically and apply strategic frameworks beyond the classroom.

Each session brought new insights into strategic thinking. For example, negotiation exercises challenged us to anticipate our counterpart’s next move.

We analyzed tactics behind price wars, including a deep dive into recent maneuvers playing out in real-time such as Tesla’s aggressive pricing strategies in the EV market. These real-world examples, both in the wider business world and in our hands-on classroom exercises, helped me deeply understand and apply the concepts we learned.

The Poker Mindset in Business: Thinking Beyond Your Next Move

In poker, mastery of competition comes from thinking beyond your hand and considering how your opponents expect you to act next. This same principle applies in business. Anticipating the actions of competitors and stakeholders is crucial in business strategy.

In a class exercise, we had to strategize pricing models for entering a competitive market using the airline industry as an example. Those who only focused on immediate gains often lost out to those who thought ahead, considering how competitors might respond and adjusting their approach accordingly.

This experience reinforced that successful business leaders do not just react, but they proactively shape their industry’s landscape.

Just like in poker, the real mastery of competition lies in anticipating how your opponents expect you to act and adjusting for a significant strategic advantage.

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Building Connections Beyond the Classroom

The relationships built in the UC Davis MBA program are just as valuable as the lessons learned in class. The weekend residential gave me the opportunity to meet students outside of my Sacramento Part-Time MBA cohort, connecting with students in the Full-Time MBA and the Online MBA programs. These are connections I may not have made otherwise.

Beyond the classroom, the weekend residential also offered opportunities for fun! After a full day of engaging discussions and case studies, we enjoyed the chance to socialize at a class dinner and unwind with an evening at an arcade.

Conversations outside of class led to valuable insights, new professional relationships, and an opportunity to network in a relaxed, fun-filled atmosphere. This reinforced one of the biggest takeaways from my MBA experience.

Knowledge is important, but the people you meet and the networks you build can shape your career just as much.

The UC Davis MBA Experience: More Than Just Coursework

The MBA weekend residentials are yet another way this program distinguishes itself and adds value beyond just academic rigor. The flexibility of the Part-Time MBA program has allowed me to achieve academic and professional growth I never thought possible, all while maintaining my full-time career.

These experiences are a testament to the program’s commitment to providing a dynamic, hands-on learning environment that prepares students to succeed in competitive business landscapes.

Let’s Connect!

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