WWF POKER

Here is the game. Mr X takes a drink from his glass of Jack Daniels and, tossing in some chips, says Raise you forty

His opponent considers his cards. He has a full house, three jacks and a pair of queens. It is the best hand he has had all night; definitely a top hand. The pot s big and there is just something about Mr X that indicates his hand might be superior. My X has been caution all night, now suddenly he has turned aggressive. There are other tells: he raised without hesitating whilst staring into my eyes. Yes, all this bits of information are crucial. Poker, that the game of poker , bluff and double bluff. This is more like psychology than cards.

At least that is how conventional wisdom sees it But is it true? A new poker playing computer is taking on human poker champions. This computer is the Deep Blue of Poker, the equivalent of the computer that beat the world Chess champion. Computers have become more important in superior casino and other gambling games, such as bingo , and can now be brought into poker.

There is however a major difference between poker and chess. Chess is entirely rational, but poker is just as much about the people who play it as it is about the cards they are dealt. A champion poker player is a champion at deceit and risk management, of cunning and guile. To an outsider his play might appear irrational, but he knows it is optimum. So how can a computer compete with this?

Ordinary poker playing programs are good with the cards, but are easily outplayed by even reasonable poker players as they are very poor at bluffing. Bluffing is all about persuading people that your weak hand is strong and your strong hand is weak. It is about sowing the seeds of doubt in your opponents mind.

Similarly, it is equally important to spot when your opponent is bluffing you. This is the land of poker tells. The good player learns more than he teaches.

So, can this new poker playing computer take on all this and beat the champions? We will keep you informed on progress.