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Computer program 'perfect at poker' Computer program 'perfect at poker'
(about 14 hours later)
Scientists have created a computer program they say is the perfect poker player and never makes a mistake.Scientists have created a computer program they say is the perfect poker player and never makes a mistake.
The developers told Science journal they had "solved" the two-player game Fixed-limit Heads-up Texas Hold 'em.The developers told Science journal they had "solved" the two-player game Fixed-limit Heads-up Texas Hold 'em.
And the algorithm had a strategy so close to optimal "it can't be beaten with statistical significance within a lifetime of human poker playing".And the algorithm had a strategy so close to optimal "it can't be beaten with statistical significance within a lifetime of human poker playing".
The poker-ace algorithm is also now available online for people to test, query and even play against.The poker-ace algorithm is also now available online for people to test, query and even play against.
'Perfect information''Perfect information'
Since scientists first started to develop game-playing artificial intelligence, there have been a series of famous cases where computer algorithms developed strategies better than the very best human players.Since scientists first started to develop game-playing artificial intelligence, there have been a series of famous cases where computer algorithms developed strategies better than the very best human players.
In 1997, for example, IBM supercomputer Deep Blue defeated world chess champion Gary Kasparov. In 1997, for example, IBM supercomputer Deep Blue defeated world chess champion Garry Kasparov.
But these machine victories have been in what are termed "perfect-information games" - where all players are informed about everything that has occurred in the game before making a decision.But these machine victories have been in what are termed "perfect-information games" - where all players are informed about everything that has occurred in the game before making a decision.
This is not the case in poker, where players do not know which cards have been dealt to other players.This is not the case in poker, where players do not know which cards have been dealt to other players.
This new poker-playing program has taught itself to overcome this. It has played trillions of hands of poker and been designed to learn by "regretting" and remembering every decision that does not lead to the optimum outcome.This new poker-playing program has taught itself to overcome this. It has played trillions of hands of poker and been designed to learn by "regretting" and remembering every decision that does not lead to the optimum outcome.
Fixed-limit heads-up Texas hold 'emFixed-limit heads-up Texas hold 'em
"Our model has spent two months playing poker again and again," said lead researcher Michael Bowling from the University of Alberta."Our model has spent two months playing poker again and again," said lead researcher Michael Bowling from the University of Alberta.
"It's playing 24 trillion hands of poker every second for two months."It's playing 24 trillion hands of poker every second for two months.
"That's more poker hands than all of humanity - so in some sense it's not surprising that it has developed the perfect strategy.""That's more poker hands than all of humanity - so in some sense it's not surprising that it has developed the perfect strategy."
While this might seem a playful project, the use of game theory on which the research is based could have serious implications, including for security.While this might seem a playful project, the use of game theory on which the research is based could have serious implications, including for security.
Automated systems for airport checkpoints, for example, could be designed to incorporate this type of uncertainty and missing information.Automated systems for airport checkpoints, for example, could be designed to incorporate this type of uncertainty and missing information.
In this instance, though, when Dr Bowling was asked whether he thinks purist, professional poker players might be irritated by the breakthrough, he said: "I have no idea. We'll have to see how much hate email I'll be getting come Thursday afternoon."In this instance, though, when Dr Bowling was asked whether he thinks purist, professional poker players might be irritated by the breakthrough, he said: "I have no idea. We'll have to see how much hate email I'll be getting come Thursday afternoon."
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