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

If you are familiar with poker you must know for a fact that it has become more popular, blending in with pop culture, with the various big money events and competitions in high profile spots participated in by high profile personalities! With the advent of online gaming, even poker has proven that it too can also be played online. Game on and start trying to beat your online poker opponent!

Before you beat your online poker opponent there are a few general tips you have to familiarize yourself on. There are various sign up and start up options when you play online. Be sure that you have understood the rules of the poker website to be able to beat your online poker opponent efficiently. The number of games which can be played is limitless so you can play various games over and over. There are, of course, restrictions, so depending on how sure you are on starting a game, do not bet or sign up outright!

The internet will provide a gazillion ways to play poker online, but to beat your online poker opponent is altogether an entirely different thing. Options are given for various skill levels. Beginners start with opening bets relatively lower than the regular betting tables. The beginner’s table usually bet zero to a minimal entry fee to commence play.

Another play option will involve playing two games simultaneously presenting a quicker chance to beat your opponents. If you are successful, this will give you a chance to double your winnings in a shorter period of time! If you can beat your poker opponent in two simultaneous games, then try playing several hands playing several games at a time!

Just remember that to beat your opponents in multiple games being played simultaneously, you have to be attentive playing each hand intently and succinctly. Depending on the online casino you are playing in, you can increase your winnings by playing in up to ten games simultaneously giving you more chances to win in a shorter period of time.

To play online poker, you must download, install and activate the software from your chosen online casino or poker website. Remember that since you are playing poker online, there are some issues and obstacles that you may encounter during the course of installation or even during the actual game play. Pop ups or pop up messages is a good example. These pop up messages can suddenly interrupt game play with distracting information and irritating recurring messages or advertisements. This can be frustrating especially when you are on the verge of winning the pot!

Playing poker nevertheless has become more convenient being available right inside the comfort of your own study or living room. You need not wait for the Wednesday night poker gang to start playing, all you need is your DSL connection to get inside the online casino where an online poker table is just waiting for you to start to play and eventually win.

By: Della Franklin

5 Online Poker Rakeback Pitfalls You Must Avoid

It’s only natural that poker players tend to sign up with rakeback providers that offer the highest percentages. However, a large number of them are beginning to find out the hard way that percentages alone aren’t the best basis to choose the best rakeback provider. There are at least five things that must be scrutinized on each rakeback site before selecting the best provider. Here they are:

The numbers involved: How many players does the site have? This is pertinent because providers that offer the best percentages often find themselves attracting only the most advanced poker players. As a result, players are relatively fewer on such sites. This in turn means that you have to play with very experienced players, minimizing your chance of winning. Multi-table option: Does the site permit players to play at multiple tables at the same time? If it does then that’s definitely a plus. Some use software to prohibit it whereas the inadequate number of players makes multi-table options unattractive on other sites.  Players of moderate or low skills like to have mixed tables so they can choose one suited to their level of play. And, the more tables they play at, the more rakeback they earn. The frequency of promotions: Does the site offer a good number of promotional incentives and if yes then how often? Some sites have regular rake races and freeroll tournaments at regular intervals that bestow the winner with lucrative cash incentives. Effect of freerolls, bonuses and promos on rakeback: Does the site deduct from your rakeback amount or fail to add to it when you enter into promotional events or clear a bonus or even redeem points you might have earned? Some providers do. That’s why it’s important to check what their policy might be on this issue. Ease of deposits and withdrawals: Is it easy to withdraw or deposit on the site or do both procedures take too long? There’s nothing more annoying than long drawn out procedures. Choose a site that understands your need for information and provides you with the necessary details, also making it possible for you to choose the most convenient method for a variety of options.

By: Hal Johnson