A very interesting project found via Slashdot: U of A Computer Poker Research Group. An excerpt from their FAQ:
Q: What are you doing, and why?A: The goal of the University of Alberta Computer Poker Research Group is to create a computer program that plays poker better than any human being. We will have to solve many interesting computer science problems along the way.
A very nice, and relatively short description of the program is available in an excerpt of a reply to a science writer for the German newsmagazine Der Spiegel.
I have built a simple-minded system on a server that starts and plays poker (holdem, omaha, etc) games. I built 3 simple-minded interfaces for a user to enter the system and play poker–using c++, php, and java. The c++ is limited because it is just a simple text display of a poker table and you have to run it through the programmer’s interface to the server. The php version allows entry through a web link, but the screen flickers when the web page updates. Also it is currently
only a text display. The java version is a deck top application that is
easily upgradable to include graphics. It sends queries to the server to
update the screen (the java panel). And there is no screen flicker. The
problem is that java cannot be compiled into a single executable file. I am
trying to figure out the best language to use to produce a professional-looking desktop application to use as a user interface for the poker system. I looked at the Poker Stars and Party Poker interfaces that I downloaded. They consist of one frame and multiple panels (for when you go to the lobby, a table, or to check your account, etc.). The files consist of an exe file (1-2 megabytes) and many image files for updating the screen.
Party Poker also has some DLL files. Do you have any idea what language
they used?
Microsoft Foundation Classes builds an application for you and doesn’t give
you any choice on how the organize the application. Windows API requires an intimate understanding of Windows. It is the Windows version of assembly language. There has to be some higher-level language.
poker blogchatter
Wow, that NYT article on poker and AI has generated a good amount of blog chatter (for poker). Here’s a brief survey of the posts out there from the last day. Commentary: Crooked Timber Slashdot Alex Jones Quick Mentions: R…