The Evolution of Poker

The advancements in technology in the poker world can be a little awe-inspiring sometimes, can’t they? You really have to just sit back and marvel at the evolution of poker. At one time it was a game shared only by the dregs of society. It was so frowned upon that establishments had to post warning signs to its customers if those inside were to partake of such activities. I have a replica of one such sign hanging in my living room that reads, “Beware: Poker Players and Loose Women are Known to Frequent This Establishment.”

That’s pretty amazing, huh? Men would cheat and swindle and kill each other over this game. Regardless, poker went on to become considered a lucrative sport. There are men that simply play poker for a living. It’s quite possible to sign onto an online poker site and make a wealthy and respected member of society out of yourself. But what amazes me is the technology involved. Who would have imagined 20 years ago that you could sit on a computer at home and play and interactive with people from around the globe? And take their money? The actual programming that must go into these sites just amazes me. As you know this year marks the second man vs. computer poker competition. Most people are speculating that the human team doesn’t have a chance in Hell of winning. The machine they’re up against has the programmed ability to call your bluff! How in blue blazes does that work? It baffles me!

What really throws me for a loop is the thought that in the future, the technology will surpass even that. The program itself is going on 18 or so in the making, but has only been publicly played against twice. Can we expect more from these poker bots? If so, how will this affect the poker industry? Perhaps these machines will be marketed to us and we could use them against our online opponents. I’d like to think they could be used to detect cheating within the websites. I’m sure we’ll know soon enough what this technology holds in store for us.