Poker, Artificial Intelligence & Learning

Creative Next: AI Automation at Work

The Libratus AI beating top poker pros is just the public face of a revolution in poker strategy. Journalist Ben Saxton joins Dirk and Jon to explain poker engines, cutting-edge strategy, and tips on how to learn.

Poker is undergoing a revolution in strategy thanks in part to AI-driven poker engines that enable precise computation of game theory optimal, or GTO, strategy. Based on physicist John Nash’s “equilibrium”, GTO is professionalizing a game historically known more for cigar smoke and degenerate gamblers than extremely complex math. Journalist, teacher, and poker player Ben Saxton joins Dirk and Jon to go inside these developments.

Memorable Quotes

"When you're in a hand, you're never gonna be able to process what these solvers are offering up to you."

"What do we do with all this complexity? I can barely explain what a solver does, let alone how to interpret it."

"Just imagine a player who has software that can tell him how to play GTO style in game. How do you beat that player?"

"The most successful classrooms that I've been a part of are collaborative and dialogic."

"One example that comes to mind is PokerSnowie, a neural network and you can play against in real time."

"If you're able to actually work through and interpret the different hands that these solvers are using in all these different spots and you're able to craft these strategies, you're gonna be very, very tough to beat."

"The best way that I know to help not just my students but myself see more clearly or see in a different way is through fiction and short stories and novels because they allow us to imaginatively project ourselves into some other person, some other world and see in a radically different way."

Mentioned in this episode

Poker’s 2011 Black Friday

GTO Poker

Who You'll Hear

Dirk Knemeyer, Social Futurist and Producer of Creative Next (@dknemeyer)

Jonathan Follett, Writer, Electronic Musician, Emerging Tech Researcher and Producer of Creative Next (@jonfollett)

Ben Saxton, Writer, Teacher and Poker Player (@beeteesax)

Join The Conversation

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Sponsors

GoInvo, A design practice dedicated to innovation in healthcare whose clients are as varied as AstraZeneca, 3M Health Information Services, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. www.goinvo.com

Design Museum Foundation, A new kind of museum, they believe design can change the world. They’re online, nomadic, and focused on making design accessible to everyone. Their mission: bring the transformative power of design everywhere. You can learn about their exhibitions, events, magazine, and more. www.designmuseumfoundation.org

BIF, As a purpose-driven firm, BIF is committed to bringing design strategy where it is needed most - health care, education, and public service to create value for our most vulnerable populations. www.bif.is