It’s clear that technology is transforming the landscape of poker. Artificial intelligence, virtual realities, blockchains and cryptocurrencies as well as social interaction, regulatory change, sustainability and responsible gaming all have a major impact on the future of poker.
Poker is a completely different animal. AIs have dominated other games for a long time, like chess. Last year they even conquered Go. This is because of the complexities and subtleties of the game. While it’s true that there is an element of luck in poker, knowledge and strategy can significantly improve your chances of winning.
Many players still struggle to beat the computers. But, that could all be about to change. In a recent experiment, an AI called Pluribus beat two professional poker players at heads-up no-limit Texas hold’em online. The results were stunning, and it is the first time that an AI has defeated a professional poker player in this way.
The game was played by Darren Elias and Chris Ferguson, both of whom have won a number of World Poker Tour titles and six World Series of Poker events. They both logged in from home and played 5,000 hands against five copies of the AI, all of which were running on one single machine. The human players were offered $2,000 if they managed to win more than the AI. The results showed that the AI was able to make more optimal decisions than its human opponents. It also made fewer emotional and irrational mistakes that often lead to bad plays.
It was also successful because it used GTO solvers for computing the optimal strategy in each situation, and developed scoring mechanisms that graded players against this play style. This made it much more difficult for players to hide errors and conceal foul play, as the system would quickly detect deviations from the optimal strategy.
The development of new technologies has opened up the possibilities for a more collaborative poker industry, with players around the world no longer restricted by location or time zone. This is helping to boost the game’s popularity and growth, as it allows more people to compete in a more accessible manner. But it’s important to remember that while technological advancements are boosting the game, it’s still a gambling game and therefore carries a risk of addiction.
It’s important that we continue to encourage responsible gambling and work with regulators in order to create a safe, secure industry. We must continue to embrace the latest innovations and technologies, including augmented reality and machine learning. Live streaming is another way to enhance the game. We can make online poker fun and fair by combining advanced features with responsible gaming practices.