Man versus poker machine

2007-07-20 14:21:59

Those who consider themselves expert bluffers might be interested to hear about a poker-playing computer set to take on two real-life players next week.

Named Polaris by its creators at the University of Alberta in Canada, the computer is designed to exploit the weaknesses it spots in an opponent and predict odds very quickly.

According to the Province, a Texas Hold 'em showdown between Polaris and two human counterparts will be a tough match when it takes place next Monday.

"In poker, if you play cautiously, then the opponent can pick up on that and they start exploiting that … so the goal of [Polaris] is to be unpredictable for the human," said Jonathan Schaeffer, an artificial intelligence researcher on the project.

The players could pocket $25,000 (£12,176) each if they manage to win four games against the machine.

Polaris is also the name of the North Star - the brightest star in constellation Ursa Minor.