Applying Game Theory to Win a Spouse

One can only have a limited number of dates, so what is the optimal strategy of marrying the best mate possible? This interesting article sets up a mathematical model for the "dating game" and studies several possible strategies of proposing. It turns out the the optimal one is the so-called "The Nagger's Strategy": "I'm going to propose my M1. If they reject, I'll propose to M2. If they reject I'll propose to my M1 again. If rejected I'll propose to M2 again. Then M3. Then M1, M2, M3, and then M4. Then again, M1, M2, M3, M4, and then M5. And so on. When I'm out of M's, I'll date a new player and recalculate my ordered list. Then I'll repeat from the beginning." It is optimal because "it gives you the best chances of marrying the best person that will marry you. If no one on your list will marry you, it allows for you to expand your list, without abandoning hope that one day you'll tie the knot with your M1." Well, a nagger indeed.

That may be the best way to do it in theory, but it doesn't take into account that the first person would get mad at you for asking so many times that they would just stop talking to you all together, thus eliminating your chances of marrying them altogether.

Game theory can predict a lot, but certainly not every human contribution to a game.

I agree. I think that one thing that game theory really does not take into account is human nature. Dating depends entirely on the different people in the set of possible mates, their personalities, standards, backgrounds etc. It is hard to define "the best" person to marry because everyone is different.