# Player Config ID: huggingface_DeepSeek-V3-0324_PayoffMaximizer_B (as Player B)
# Meta-Round: 10
# Experiment: PMxPM, Run: 4
# API: huggingface, Model: deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-V3-0324
# LLM Suggested Fallback Move: C

### Strategy Description for huggingface_DeepSeek-V3-0324_PayoffMaximizer_B_MR10:

**1. Meta-Game History Analysis:**
- In the last 5 meta-rounds, cooperative strategies (e.g., `harmonious_mirage`, `benevolent_illusionist`) have generally yielded high mutual scores (e.g., MR5-7). However, in MR8-9, more exploitative strategies (`serendipitous_phoenix`, `harmonious_mirage_v2`) emerged, with MR9 showing our strategy outperforming the opponent (36 vs. 21). This suggests that a **conditional cooperation with late-game exploitation** approach can maximize payoffs.

**2. Opponent's Previous Code Analysis:**
- The opponent's `harmonious_mirage_v2` in MR9:
  - Starts cooperatively (first 3 rounds).
  - Mid-game (4-7): Cooperates if opponent's cooperation rate ≥75%, but defects probabilistically (30% chance) if cooperation rate drops.
  - Late-game (8-10): Explicitly aims to "exploit" (likely defects).
- **Inference**: The opponent is **trust-building early but shifts to exploitation later**. They are sensitive to defections (e.g., punishing double defections mid-game).

**3. Strategy Logic for IPD Match:**
Our goal is to **maximize cumulative payoff** by:
- **Early Rounds (1-3):** Cooperate unconditionally to build trust and avoid triggering the opponent's defection triggers.
- **Mid-Game (4-7):** 
  - If opponent's cooperation rate ≥80%, continue cooperating to sustain mutual gains.
  - If opponent's cooperation rate <80%, mirror their last move (tit-for-tat) to prevent exploitation while leaving room for rekindling cooperation.
  - If opponent defects twice consecutively, retaliate with a defection (to signal intolerance for exploitation).
- **Late-Game (8-10):** 
  - Defect in rounds 8 and 9 to exploit the opponent's likely cooperation (based on their past strategy).
  - In round 10, cooperate if the opponent has cooperated ≥70% of the time (to avoid mutual defection penalties), else defect.

**4. Handling Opponent's Code:**
- Parse `opponent_program_code` to detect if they use probabilistic defection (like `harmonious_mirage_v2`). If so, increase defection probability in mid-game (e.g., 40% chance if cooperation rate <75%).
- If the code is unreadable or complex, default to the above history-based logic.

**5. Edge Cases:**
- If no history (first round), cooperate.
- If opponent always defects, defect from round 4 onward.
- If opponent always cooperates, defect in late-game (8-9) but cooperate in round 10.

**6. Rationale:**
- Early cooperation builds trust and maximizes mutual gains.
- Mid-game mirroring prevents exploitation while allowing recovery.
- Late-game defection exploits the opponent's likely cooperation (per their past strategy), but final-round cooperation avoids unnecessary mutual punishment.

****