“Games People Play” explores the psychological underpinnings of human interactions, suggesting that much of our social lives are structured by unconscious “games.” These games are defined as recurring patterns of behavior with hidden motivations and predictable negative outcomes. The author categorizes these games into various contexts like marital, party, and sexual interactions, analyzing their structures, motivations, and potential “payoffs.” The text introduces concepts such as “strokes” (units of social recognition), “ego states” (Parent, Adult, Child), and different types of “transactions” to explain how these games are played. Ultimately, the work aims to provide a framework for understanding and potentially transcending these often destructive patterns towards more authentic and “game-free” relationships characterized by awareness, spontaneity, and intimacy.