Poker is a game that has long been associated with the glitz and glamour of high-end casinos across the globe, and has regularly featured in Hollywood blockbusters like James Bond flick Casino Royale and heist film Ocean’s Eleven over the years.
But while it was once thought to be a game based on intuition, psychology and gut feeling – and the ability to hold your nerve, as well as perfecting your ‘poker face’ – it has undergone something of a transformation over the past few years, and it’s all thanks to artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence – or AI, as it is more commonly known in 2024 – has reshaped this centuries-old card game by revolutionising the way in which it is played, studied and even perceived. Still a favourite amongst the world’s highest rollers, modern algorithms are now giving them a run for their money, but have also become an indispensable tool for both professionals and casual players to have up their own sleeves next time they play Texas Hold’em online.
Back in 2017, U.S. university Carnegie Mellon’s AI program, Libratus, made headlines by defeating four of the world’s top poker players in a high-stakes Texas Hold’em tournament. It was a watershed moment, and evidence of the incredible capabilities of AI to go beyond statistical analysis and calculation alone to now mastering the nuances of human behaviour. Whilst it’s true that machines can’t rely on keeping a straight face to call their opponent’s bluff, they have shown that they can, in fact, mirror strategies like deception and decision making, and by all accounts, it seems they can do so very effectively.
Dealing a better hand
AI’s ability to analyse vast amounts of data and generate insights that were previously inaccessible to human players through machine learning have quite literally changed the game for poker players of all kinds, and it is able to identify patterns and trends, as well as optimise strategies, by assessing thousands of hands and simulations. As a result, there are now numerous advanced apps, tools and softwares that utilise this technology to help with in-play decision making, which are particularly popular with those who enjoy engaging in casino games online.
Professional players across the globe are increasingly turning to AI to help them stay ahead of the game. As they say, practice makes perfect, and now, they can take advantage of platforms like Poker Training and PIOSolver to test different strategies and develop and hone their skills in simulated games.
The concept of searching online for tips and tricks amongst gamers is nothing new, but in 2024, we’re seeing a growing number of new forums and online communities popping up that have been developed especially for poker players seeking to uplevel, and as a result, the volume of information available is seemingly endless. As well as providing players with the educational resources they need to improve and grow, it has made poker more accessible than ever before to complete beginners, too. No longer is the game shrouded in the same level of mystery as it once was, and now, it’s possible to work out exactly what it takes to see success without the smoke and mirrors.
AI has, of late, also served as the catalyst for advancements in poker theory, which in turn, has led to breakthroughs in strategic understanding. By demystifying the elements of gameplay that were previously inaccessible, it has revealed insights that have challenged the status quo and allowed players to push the boundaries of strategic exploration.
Equilibrium strategies, mixed strategies, and counterfactual regret minimisation are concepts that are now at the forefront of modern poker theory and exemplify how approaches to the game have changed.
The flipside
One thing that has to be pointed out though, is that casinos are highly vigilant, and cheating is considered to be a serious issue among players. To that end, AI is also being used to stamp out collusion and fraud, because it is able to detect immoral and illegal behaviours – which means that while utilising it may well help you to up your game, casinos themselves are leveraging the technology to enhance their operations too, to retain trust amongst players and maintain the integrity of the game.
And it’s not the only way casinos are using AI to their advantage. Increasingly, it’s also being used to create advanced marketing strategies and provide more personalised customer experiences to boost engagement and ensure repeat custom and long-term consumer relationships.
But despite all of its myriad benefits in the world of poker, some ethical concerns around the introduction of AI into the gaming space remain. The idea that it could further facilitate problem gambling behaviours, exploit vulnerable players, and add to inequalities within the game are worrisome – and as in all industries at the moment, there are also concerns around potential job losses where machine learning is implemented in place of human workers. As such, the integration of AI into poker and other casino games, as well as the wider gaming landscape, remains a hotly debated topic, and will continue to come under scrutiny over the coming years until equilibrium is finally achieved.
Please gamble responsibly (18+ UK) – check age restrictions before participating
