Online Poker Played by Bots?

I've just read one of the most interesting stories I've read for a while. Concern is growing in online chat rooms and news groups devoted to poker that sophisticated card-playing robots ? known as "bots" in the nomenclature of the Web ? are being used on commercial gambling sites to fleece newcomers, the strategy-impaired and maybe even above-average players.

A bot capable of playing against the best humans definitely already exists. The University of Alberta's Computer Poker Research Group has developed an artificially intelligent automaton known as "Vex Bot," capable of playing poker at the master level, though as yet it can only apply its gambling genius to two-player games. Vex Bot has been used by researchers to test the frontiers of artificial intelligence ? and as the basis for a commercial poker tutorial program, Poki's Poker Academy -- but some fear it may become a blueprint for programmers with more sinister motives.

Given that games like Hold'em are quite simple enough (and the players bad enough), it makes sense to me that a quite simple bot could take a human player who can't work out the odds of winning each hand correctly, to the cleaners.

As online gambling increases will we see more of this? Will people start downloading programs to run on their desktops to tell them what to do with each hand? I think it will kind of take the fun out of playing online if it becomes a test of 'my bot against your bot' rather than 'skill'.

Skeptics ? and there are many ? argue the complexities of the game and the changing strategies ensure that creation of a program that can "read" opponents' cards using screen scanning techniques and respond in real time is years away at best.

The author runs a blog following developments in the internet and mobile internet sectors. With over 10 years experience in strategy consulting and business development, and has seen and lived through the highs, and the lows of the industry.

Based in London, the author can be contacted on admin@connectedinternet.co.uk and his blog can be found at http://www.connectedinternet.co.uk

---

Poker Tournaments

Most people believe that poker tournaments are for the most... Read More

How To Extend Your Stay & Play At A Casino

How To Extend Your Stay & Play At A Casino... Read More

Virtual Casino Gambling

You might be wondering how virtual casino gambling started and... Read More

Heres an Easy Exercise to Improve Your Texas Holdem Play

Many beginning Texas Holdem players develop a playing style that... Read More

Blackjack Basics

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games after... Read More

Compulsive Gambler Seeks Alternatives To Stop Gambling

Compulsive gambler's life was devastated by gambling and now seeks... Read More

The Secrets of Hop Bets

Pssst...! Wanna know a secret?How about the secrets of hop... Read More

Texas Holdem Tournament Strategy - Winning vs. Aggressive Players

The Texas Hold'em poker phenomenon has taken the country by... Read More

The Joys Of Playing Internet Poker

I started playing poker on the internet about six months... Read More

Roulette - The Basics

Roulette is actually one of the simplest games in the... Read More

How to Avoid the Common Slot Machine Playing Mistakes

Understanding how slots work is important in maximizing your gains... Read More

Expensive Errors in Holdem

There are several expensive errors that are frequently made in... Read More

Gambling Comps 101 or The Ask Game

Gambling Comps 101 or The Ask Game I don't know... Read More

The Healthy Gambler

In our day and age gambling is very popular. The... Read More

Avoid These 4 Roulette Myths and Play Like a Pro!

Roulette is a fun exciting and simple game to play,... Read More

Blackjack - Increase Your Odds With Basic Strategy Plus

Blackjack Basic Strategy, played perfectly in a game with favorable... Read More

When Should You Hang Up Your Betting Boots for the Day?

Quit as soon as you are in front for the... Read More

The History Of Blackjack

The origin of Blackjack is somewhat unclear. Some people believe... Read More

The New Face of Poker - Internet Poker

There are several online poker rooms that offer Poker games... Read More

Why TV Poker Can Make You Wealthy!

There's an awful lot of poker on the television these... Read More

YOUR Advantage With Online Poker Table Notes

The importance of taking notes on your opponents can't be... Read More

Baccarat Basics

Apart from being originated from Middle Ages and being one... Read More

Asian Handicaps Explained

The most common way to bet on football in the... Read More

The Bingo Renaissance

Little old ladies in slippers, playing for pennies and cents... Read More

Roulette System: 5 Biggest Gambling Mistakes You Should Avoid

In this article I'd like to share with you the... Read More

Help Become a Consistent Winner at Online Low-Limit Texas Hold ?Em by Playing at the ?Easy? Tables

Select Advantageous TablesTable selection is one of the most overlooked... Read More

Secrets of Texas Hold Em

First if you are tired, angry, drunk or your condition... Read More

Poker Tournament Freerolls Payout in Seven Figures

Poker tournaments freerolls are free poker tournaments that are hosted... Read More

Why Underdogs are the Smart Bet in Soccer Betting

Underdog or favorite? It's a choice we make everyday throughout... Read More

How To Choose A Reputable Online Casino

With literally thousands of online casinos on the internet, it... Read More

A Trip To Vegas

A trip that will always be remembered is the one... Read More

Three Card Poker Hand Rankings

Even though Three Card Poker is a fairly easy game... Read More

MTT Poker Win Frequency

Multi Table Tournaments (MTT) are currently very popular due in... Read More