Poker, a game that tests skill and strategy, has always been a place where human wit and intuition collide. In fact, it is one of the most popular casino table games because of this, and with the right strategies one can come out on top.
However, a new challenge or solution has come up—artificial intelligence (AI). The AI wave is unstoppable and has found its way to poker. Instead of racking your brains to know which hand to play or which cards to hold, you can have a quick look at an AI suggestion and make your next move.
So, here lies the big question. Is AI helping players conquer the tables or diminishing the thrill of this game of wits into a mere ‘search and find the next hand’ game?
The Rise of Poker-Playing AI
Pro poker player Seth Davis faced a make-or-break moment at the World Series of Poker. With a not-so-great hand and a $250,000 entry fee at stake, he turned to PioSOLVER, an AI tool. He bluffed his way to victory, and when PioSOLVER analyzed the move, it hailed it as nearly perfect. This showcases how AI can guide you to optimal decisions in real-time, even in high-pressure situations like poker.
While AI has mastered games like Go and chess, poker is trickier due to hidden opponent hands. Winning at poker requires intuition, strategy, and the ability to deduce unseen information. Thanks to tools like PioSOLVER, AI isn’t just playing poker, it’s winning.
The poker-AI journey kicked off in 2015 when the University of Alberta crafted a program for Limit Texas Hold’em. Simultaneously, programmer Piotrek Lopusiewicz introduced PioSOLVER, a $249 tool tailored for the complex world of no-limit poker.
Taking AI poker up a notch, Carnegie Mellon University partnered with Facebook to birth Pluribus, a poker bot designed to outsmart top-tier Texas Hold’em players simultaneously. It exceeded expectations by winning an average of $480 for every 100 hands played against seasoned pros.
AI’s Impact on Online Poker
AI isn’t just shaking up poker rooms, it has made its way online too. A survey by Legal U.S. Poker Sites found that ChatGPT is heavily changing how online poker games are played. The study, which mainly focused on Gen Z and millennial players, showed a whopping 93% of players gave a thumbs up to AI in poker. Surprisingly, 40% say AI has boosted their gaming skills, while 45% credit it for pushing them to up their game.
It’s easy to see how this trend comes about because the new generation of players have the convenience of enjoying poker games online. There are sites specifically dedicated to poker and online casinos which offer poker as part of their games. Since these players are already playing poker online, opening ChatGPT on another tab and getting insights comes easy.
The study uncovered that 22% of players own up to using AI, with millennials leading the charge. But, the line between using ChatGPT as a guide and crossing into cheat territory is still hazy, with online poker platforms not setting clear rules.
Despite these numbers, many players are using AI to spice up their strategy game (57%) and simulate different scenarios (52%). The survey even hints at a future where AI bots take over poker, with 70% of experts foreseeing a tough time for humans to come out on top.
Divided Opinions About AI in Poker
In poker, AI’s rise has stirred both cheers and skepticism. Doug Polk, a retired pro, worries about the game losing its essence, shifting from creative thinking to relying on AI strategies like PioSOLVER.
On the flip side, some see AI tools as a natural step in poker’s tech evolution, using advanced software for opponent analysis. As ChatGPT steps into the picture, 22% confess to using AI for an edge, sparking a heated debate.
Some see it as a tool for testing strategies, but concerns about fairness persist. The discussion heats up as millennials embrace AI, blurring the lines between fair play and rule-bending. Opinions on ChatGPT within the poker community vary; Twitter and Reddit reveal a split stance.
Some criticize its advice as “bad” or “terrible,” while others appreciate it for clarifying rules instead of offering strategic tips. You navigate these discussions, deciding where AI fits into your poker journey.
Will AI Be A Friend Or Foe?
As technology and poker come together, the future is up in the air. Some people think AI will make poker shine, while others worry it might ruin the game. The connection between tech and poker, seen in tools like ChatGPT, highlights the poker community’s challenge to handle ethical issues and set limits on AI’s role.
Whether AI takes over poker or peacefully coexists with human players is uncertain, but the poker world is changing, and players need to adapt to the era of AI in the game.
