Poker Table (Photo : Reuters)
A new computer program created to solve poker strategies was claimed by its creator to be virtually unbeatable. The project dubbed "Cepheus" was so good in reading poker strategies that some seasoned veteran of the game can't even get close to beating it.
Computer scientist Michael Bowling said that "Cepheus" said that although the program cannot win in all hands being dealt it will win as the game progresses. In order to achieve this massive decision making power, the computer program went on for two months testing period and was believed to have played at least a billion poker hand.
The massive computing power of "Cepheus" comes from four thousand processors and with this it was able to create its own database of different betting decisions, outcomes and cards possibilities, all in all after the two month session "Cepheus" produced a total of 11 terabytes of data on card possibility and different decision making algorithms.
The results of the "Cepheus" research can be applied to not only card games like poker but also in some real life situations. The artificial intelligence created in the "Cepheus" project can be applied to various fields of medicine, cyber security and even in making business decisions. The computer program also created a breakthrough in the application of artificial intelligence in game theory, wherein a variety of stored information and various algorithms can help in deciphering an opponent's card, decision making and other strategies.
However, some experts who have tried playing against "Cepheus" does not share the same enthusiasm as its creators, some even claimed that they have beaten the program in some occasions. One of the many flaws pointed out by experts is that despite the massive computing power of "Cepheus" it still lacks the power of perception that makes the program vulnerable to bluffing calls. Another shortcoming is that it can only play a two-player limit of Texas Hold 'em poker, once additional players were put on the table the 11 terabyte worth of "Cepheus" algorithm just falls to pieces.
