Mexican Standoff — Dan Feltham

A Mexican standoff is a simultaneous confrontation among three opponents. The tactics for such a confrontation are substantially different than a one on one duel, where the first to shoot has the advantage. In a confrontation among three mutually hostile participants, the first to shoot is at a tactical disadvantage. If opponent A shoots opponent B, then while doing so, opponent C can shoot A, thus remaining alive and winning the conflict. Since it is the second opponent to shoot that has the advantage, no one wants to go first, hence, a permanent standoff or stalemate, unless someone makes a mistake. So, the unanswered question is: what is the best thing to do in such a circumstance?