According to Eric Berne, games are a series of manipulative transactions. They are based on the premise that we are all trying to get something from each other. Games involve three basic elements:
1) Players - There are always at least two people involved in a game. One person is trying to get something from the other.
2) Rules - There are specific rules that govern how the game is played. These rules may be explicit or implicit.
3) Payoff - There is always some sort of payoff for the winner of the game. The payoff may be tangible (like money or prizes) or intangible (like feeling superior or getting attention).