Is online Poker a dying game? August 21, 2008

Technology has been a great thing for the game of Poker. There are more players playing the game, and more money to be made, than ever before. But unfortunately with the advance of technology also comes the realization that technology can ultimately ruin the same game that is has helped create.

Online Poker might be extinct in just a few short years for one reason-computer programs. There are many unscrupulous people creeping around the fringes of the Internet and whenever they see an opportunity to make a buck, no matter who might be affected, they do it. As computer programs are developed that are able to beat any real person that they face, people will simply plug in a computer program to play their games and tournaments for them. There is no reason to play themselves if they can simply purchase, or program, a bot to do their bidding.

What this means for the average, honest player, is that they may be facing one of these programs in any given tournament and not even realize it. It will give the person with the program a very unfair advantage and it has the propensity to render all human players obsolete. Players that want to play Poker will be relegated back into the Poker room and casinos where they can play, face to face, like they have for centuries.

Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing after all. Imagine a world where we would actually have to have human contact to play the games that we love. Always keep this in mind when you are playing in an open tournament and your opponent seems a little too good. How sure are you that what your playing isn't merely a bot with a series of one and zeros consistently beating your best moves?