Nearly 1 in 2 Poker Experts Believe AI Is an Increasing Threat to Poker

Key Takeaways

• 37% of poker experts believe playing against an AI poker bot is more enjoyable and better for improving poker skills.
• More than 1 in 5 poker experts are using ChatGPT to win hands.
• 81% of expert poker players are playing against AI.

Did AI Just Break Online Poker?

Gone are the days when most poker games were confined to smoky backrooms. Millions of poker players now gamble online instead of playing in person. Some even use AI bots for online play, but this practice has raised questions about how AI affects the game. Is it helping or hurting it? Can AI help players play better poker? Or even win more at a game where online pots can reach millions of dollars?

We recently surveyed 1,000 online poker experts about their opinions on AI and poker. In this article, we'll explore the benefits and drawbacks of using online poker bots and how they can help players beat human opponents on popular platforms. From simulating different hands and scenarios to finding patterns in matches, discover how players could use these advanced algorithms to gain an edge in their next big game.

Is AI Taking Over Online Poker?

Online poker has been around for decades and has evolved significantly over time. But one of the most startling developments in recent years has been the introduction of artificial and learned intelligence to the game. Let's see how experts feel about it.

As with many other industries, the rise of AI has significantly impacted the world of online poker. Computer programs have become increasingly sophisticated in recent years, and AI can now play poker without input from any human players. Some poker bots are even able to beat the top human players!

When we asked poker experts how they felt about this, a whopping 93% claimed that they support using AI in the game. Over half said it makes the game more interesting, while 47% said it helps them learn how to play. Some said AI pushes them to be better players (45%) or elevates the game (40%). One-third also admitted that playing against an AI or bot is less intimidating than playing against a real person.

On the flip side, 7% of survey respondents opposed AI being a part of online poker, with most feeling that playing against an AI was a different experience (56%). Almost half said it was harder to win with AI involved, citing bots making more aggressive bets and having no fear. These players also opposed AI because they couldn't study their opponents' faces or body language ("reading the room" is a key part of playing poker).

Diving further into our data, we found some generational differences. Most Gen Z respondents supported the use of AI in online poker (98%), as did almost as many Gen X players (95%). However, fewer millennials (87%) were ok with it.

Leveling Up With AI

The wide support of AI in the poker world suggests that it's here to stay. So, how can you use this tech to help you gain an edge in your online poker matches? Here's what the poker experts had to say.

There's no question that AI could forever change strategy gameplay online. As a formidable opponent, AI can be a valuable tool for players who want to up their game. According to those surveyed, 79% have used AI to improve their poker skills, and 1 in 9 admitted using it to help them win.

The use of AI bots has led to various outcomes for poker experts. Respondents claimed they most often used AI to experiment with different strategies to win (57%), simulate different hands and scenarios (52%), or find patterns (42%). Over 1 in 5 players also used the newest AI chatbot, ChatGPT, to help them win.

It's certainly never fun to lose at poker, and AI has many players concerned that winning will eventually become impossible: Over 70% of poker experts believe humans won't be able to compete against AI bots in the future.

All In Against AI

The adoption of AI bots in online poker has been rapid, changing the landscape of virtual poker. So, just how many expert players are regularly taking on AI?

A majority of top poker players have played against AI — 81% to be exact — and their losses have been significant. On average, experts have lost $840 in the past year while playing poker against AI. Gen Z players reported losing the most at $1,025, while millennials lost $758 and Gen Xers lost $684.

More than half of respondents also reported purchasing AI poker software last year (68%), with millennials (74%) and Gen Z (71%) being the most likely to do so. They've spent quite a bit of money on it, especially Gen Zers ($800), trailed by millennials ($655) and Gen Xers ($293). The average spent across generations was $679.

Considering how much Gen Z poker players have spent on the software, it's no surprise that they've been playing the most. Gen Z was 22% more likely than other generations to play poker multiple times per day, which could account for their higher losses as well.

No Bluffing! Poker Experts Chime In

What do the experts really think about the new world of AI bots, and how do they see it affecting the future of online poker? Their opinions are as interesting as they are wide-ranging.

The use of AI in poker seemed a controversial topic for our survey responders. They had mixed opinions; While some saw it as a positive development that could enhance the game and bring in new players, others believed it could threaten traditional poker and the skills of human players.

Know When To Hold ‘Em or Fold ‘Em

So, how do AI bots affect the game of online poker? They can both assist players and improve the game, but they also have the potential to be used for cheating and can negatively impact the overall experience. The use of AI bots in online poker is a complex and nuanced topic, and it'll be interesting to see how it evolves in the future and what impact it will have on the game overall. In the meantime, card sharks should keep their wits about them and play cautiously. As the old saying goes, "If you can't spot the sucker in the room, then it might just be you."

Methodology

For this campaign, we surveyed 1,019 poker players with at least three years of experience. Among them, 67% were men, and 33% were women. The generational breakdown was as follows: 41% Gen Z, 34% millennials, 18% Gen X, and 7% baby boomers.

About Legal US Poker Sites

Legal US Poker Sites was created because we saw a lack of quality information about online poker, including laws for US players. We believe that playing online poker for real money is unnecessarily complicated, so we set out to create a guide that would be easy to read, accurate, and objective.

Fair use statement

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