AI in Poker: How is this technology changing the landscape?

AI is one of the most exciting new technological developments in recent years and is revolutionising the way we do almost everything. It’s impacted a huge number of industries for the good, automating tasks, enabling new capabilities and driving efficiencies.

In this article, we look at how technology has changed the world of games, specifically poker. Read on to find out more.

The casino industry and technology

Before we get into the impact of AI, it’s worthwhile looking at the casino industry and how technology has impacted it – especially over the past few decades. While technology was improving players’ experience at online casinos for many years, it was the internet boom of the 1990s when every industry, including gaming, changed.

It was only a few years after the internet became available for public use that the first online casino was established. InterCasino was one of the first online casinos to offer a range of games like poker, slots and blackjack back in 1996. Since then, online casinos have launched all around the world, with technology continuing to enhance the experience for online players.

These days, more people play at online casinos than ever before and the convenience of being able to access them via smart devices like mobile phones and tablets is attracting new demographics to casino games every day.

But how has AI impacted online poker?

Like other industries and the products within them, AI has had a significant impact on poker, which has made for a much better playing experience as well as having an effect on the larger industry.

Here are just a few ways that AI has begun to transform poker:

AI in gameplay

One of the most interesting ways that AI has had an impact on poker games is the development of apps that can play online poker themselves.

Deepstack is a great example of this, which is an AI app that was developed in Canada at the University of Calgary. This software was developed to be able to play Texas Hold’em and made headlines when it beat a range of professional players. Libratus, an app that launched in the same year, not only competed but actually defeated poker players, which marked another advancement in AI and what it could achieve.

Transforming platforms

Another way that AI has had an impact on poker is the way that it’s transformed the platforms that people use to play the game online.

As players have become more tech-savvy, they’ve discovered ways to use bots or AI to cheat at the game; but developers have also used AI to detect it. Thanks to AI, there are now bot detection systems which are trained to detect any patterns that shift away from normal human behaviour. This benefits players of the game overall as it helps to ensure fair play so that you know you’re not competing against an AI bot any time you play.

Like other technological advancements in the online casino industry, AI has improved the user experience of both game play and the website (or app they’re accessing) itself. One of the ways that AI does it specifically is its ability to personalise the UX, which includes everything from recommendations for games and tournaments based on what players already enjoy, to customer support and so much more.

Making better players

AI is also helping players to improve their game by enhancing poker training with tools that people can use to improve their game — whether they’re a novice just starting out or a professional too.

There are many AI tools out there these days that can help players devise optimal strategies or enable players to simulate different poker hands and get feedback on how they play. This is useful as it helps players to learn what they got right or wrong and develop their own strategies over time. And while there have been ‘bots’ that you can build your skills and play against for some time, thanks to AI these are becoming more real than ever. 

Some practice with these means’ players are more prepared for games against human competitors, and can grow their skill sets in their own time and at their own comfort level without having to use real money.