Casino

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.

By: Everton Blair

Putting together a charity fundraising event like a Casino Night Fundraiser can be a lot of work unless you’re well organized. Events like these often include live entertainment, a catered dinner, live and silent auctions, sponsorships, ticket sales, tax deductible donations, and a host of other details that require plenty of advance planning.

The plus side is that a Casino Night is a great excuse for adults to get all dressed up and have a fun time, so turnouts are impressive. There are lots of charitable groups who need to raise large amounts of operating funds and these events really deliver if done well.

Getting started
You need a strong crew of volunteers with a passion for getting things done. Group the tasks by category and divide them up by skill set of your volunteers. It’s best to have them work singly or in pairs, partnering veterans with newcomers. Having too many people assigned to a task just slows it down.

The only exception to that rule is in seeking donations of auction items. Have everyone call or better yet, visit their contacts to ask for their help with donated products or services. Seek out things with a true “Wow” factor to generate a strong buzz of excitement around your auctions.

For your games of chance, contact party supply and equipment rental firms. In major metropolitan areas, there are also companies that specialize in supplying this equipment and many even supply staff to run the games, deal the cards, etc.

Make sure you have all permits well ahead of time. Some jurisdictions have special restrictions on gambling-related activities even when they are for charity and don’t involve cash winnings, so research this carefully.

Raising funds
A Casino Night fundraiser offers dozens of ways to raise funds for charity, including silent auctions, live auctions, raffles, poker tournaments, individual sponsorships, corporate sponsorships, cash bar, gourmet catered dinner, and ticket sales.

Set your ticket prices high enough to cover all your expenses. In some instances, a high-dollar ticket price makes the event exclusive and will help attract a wealthy roster of supporters.

You can price tickets differently for those who might not want a catered dinner or gambling chips included. Some people won’t and you do want as many people as possible attending and bidding on your auction items.

To boost ticket sales to a black-tie affair, you’ll want your meal catered by a trendy restaurant that has a certain cachet. God press coverage mentioning society and celebrity attendees will also help sell out your fundraiser.

Publicity
Besides publicizing your Casino Night fundraising event in your newsletter, by email, and through word of mouth, to get a big turnout, you have to get media coverage.

Put together a press release summarizing the highlights of the evening and emphasize why you are raising funds. Include details on the entertainment, the sponsors, prominent attendees, your best auction items, etc.

Include full contact information as well as the obvious information such as place, date, and time. Send it to all the major media outlets in your marketplace well ahead of your fundraiser. Include a group photo such as the organizing committee or your group’s board of directors.

Summary
A Casino Night is a great way to raise funds for your cause because it gives people an excuse to dress up and have fun. Sure it’s a lot of work pulling it all together, but the results are well worth it.

This type of event offers multiple ways to raise funds and is easy to promote. It also lends itself well to becoming an annual tradition. Plan everything in detail, divide the tasks, solicit auction items and corporate sponsorships, and have dinner catered.

By: Kimberly Reynolds