/>Introduction



Online games from chess and backgammon to 1st person shooters are rife with people who use computer assisted play or computer robots - even when there is no money at stake. With the appropriate program any player is able to play at a world championship level ruining the game for honest players. What makes online poker different, given that there are huge amounts of money at stake? In this article I will explain how I developed a poker bot and what I learnt from this experience. My conclusion is that although it is possible to construct a poker playing bot the threat from poker bots to the online poker player is extremely small to non-existent.



“Games” Theory



For interest and college courses I had previously written computer playing programs or bots for games including chess, Connect 4, Othello, backgammon, bridge and various others. For games such as Connect 4, Othello, chess and backgammon where all players have the same available information about the game state, the theory on how to construct expert bots is well known. Deep search techniques, looking many moves ahead, are used for games such as Othello and chess. Recently (10 years ago) it was discovered neural networks could be taught to play backgammon better than almost any human player. Games such as poker and bridge contain hidden information where the players can see their own hand but not that of the other players. The published theory behind writing expert computer bots for these incomplete information games is decades behind the complete information games and there are doubts techniques will be developed so that computers can play at expert or world championship level. At present the best techniques for these incomplete information games seem to involve some form of simulation and opponent modelling.



Anatomy of An Online Poker Bot



There are 3 basics parts to a poker bot. 1) Data Gathering - observing the game state and history 2) Data Processing - using the information from the data gathered to determine whether to fold, call or raise. 3) Output - Pressing the appropriate button on the poker room client.



My Poker Bot



My program was written in early 2004 with Microsoft .Net C++ and was developed to play at one online room only. For the technically minded the program relied heavily on MFC and the Win32 API. 1) Data Gathering My bot gathered information about game state and history from online poker tables by taking repeated screenshots and analysing the image. To begin with I just observed games, taking screenshots automatically so I could gather data on the position of the cards, chips and button. By determining the color of a certain few pixels I was able to gather all this information about the state of the game. Eventually I was able to gather data from multiple poker tables (4 at a time) by repeatedly bringing each window to the foreground and taking a screenshot. From this screenshot I was able to determine my cards, board cards, button position, who was left in the hand, pot size and player bet sizes. 2) Data processing This is the component that eventually bought my poker bot project to an end, unable to develop a strong enough strategy to win consistently. I tried various rules based, neural net and simulation techniques. At best my bot was able to make a very small profit at $1/2 and $2/$4 limit hold’em, but nowhere near the thousands of dollars a week I envisioned earning when I started the project. In the end it just wasn’t worth my time to continue to put resources into developing my poker bot further. 3) Output This was the easiest component to write. This involved programmatically moving the mouse pointer to the appropriate screen co-ordinates and then sending a mouse down/mouse up command signalling a left-click. I did give consideration to adding the ability for the bot to use chat but never progressed that far.



Conclusion



Although you might run into a poker playing bot whilst playing online the odds are it plays very poorly. At any level of play you are much more likely to run into an expert human player than an expert computer player.

Are you searching for the perfect gift that includes backgammon accessories? Backgammon accessories are a perfect gamers gift, for all occasions, for birthdays, holidays, even for graduations! In this guide, we want to tell you about some of the backgammon goodies you can purchase for the gamer you know and love most. Plus much more than you probably expect.

One of the favorite accessories a gamer will love is the entire backgammon set for the traveler, one that is hand held and which is electronic. While you will find various types of electronic backgammon our there, the best is going to be the game that has multi levels for those who are advanced in this game and need a little challenge. This makes a great accessory for their life because they can practice alone when on the go, or they can use their handheld to play multi player when on the go and traveling. Adults and children alike love this accessory.

Another great accessory for the backgammon lover is the personalized dice cup. This may or may not have the players name on the cup, but it could have a favorite scene, picture, date, or be a color or made from a type of material that the player loves to hold in their hand. Fabric covered cups, colored picture cups, or soft flexible dice cups are favorites. Most are at reasonable prices.

Great backgammon accessories include those that make the game portable. Leather carrying cases, hard board boxes so all the pieces never get lost, and then there are the accessories that personalize the game board.

Leather carrying cases make the game portable and lovely to look at. Leather comes in a variety of colors so you will be able to find one you enjoy. Hard leathers, soft leathers and leathers that are tinted in color.

Personalize the game board with letters or stickers that will adorn the playing board, or the carrying case of the player. You can find all types of stickers that accent the other interests of the game that you can use as accessories for the board. Laminating paper, stickers, and even glue can be used to create those perfect accessories that will make the gamers dreams come true so they never lose their game boards. Personalization makes for a deeper gratification from the gamer.

Dice are the other accessory you can purchase to complete your personalized backgammon set. Dice from glass, crystal, plastic, colored, or even that are filled with water are the dice that no one else is going to have! Every backgammon set has dice in the set, and the best types of backgammon gamers have a great set of dice to match their cups. Find a set of dice that are legal for the game, yet different from others to give you a great feel of the casino right in your own game.

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Backgammon could stake a good case for being our oldest known board game with a history going back at least five thousand years. The simplicity of the game and hence the ease in which the backgammon rules can be learned, is a key factor in the game’s continual popularity. Although the backgammon game has developed a number of variants in different regions around the world, the various versions share sufficient in common to allow players who learn how to play backgammon in one country, to be soon able to pick up the rules of the game in another part of the world. Another important factor to take into account is the impact of backgammon gambling. Arguably even more than playing for fun, the draw of backgammon gambling has brought in many new recruits to the game over the centuries and provided motivation for learning the rules well.

When the game first made its appearance on the scene of human leisure, one person taught another how to play by word of mouth, and by observing how experienced players play backgammon. For most of the history of the game this will have been the way new players were inducted. The early players might also have been taught how to make their own backgammon set. This would not have been such a difficult task since all the materials needed could be found locally, such as stones or pieces of pottery for the pieces, and a wooden board into which the divisions of the backgammon board can be carved. The first codification of the backgammon rules was not published until 1743, and so printed materials for learning the game were absent. However, given the fact that most of the world’s population was illiterate, backgammon players included, the lack of books was not an issue.

With the spread of literacy over the last 150 years and the increasing amount of leisure time, new possibilities for learning backgammon opened up. Besides the old method of sons learning from fathers, or learning by watching other players, people began to write books about backgammon. In addition, clubs at school and at meeting places such as popular cafes, starting to appear. These provided many new opportunities for becoming acquainted with the game and learning its strategy.

Today, the introduction of backgammon software for playing backgammon online harnesses the latest technology to bring the game to a new audience, as well as broadening the playing possibilities for experienced players. Online backgammon sites provide full information on the rules of the game, and they also offer the chance of gaining valuable playing experience against a sophisticated backgammon computer. Wherever you are located, as long as you have access to the Internet, you can login to one of these backgammon sites and in a short while progress from a novice to an experienced player. There has never been a time in history when it has been easier to learn how to play backgammon.

Backgammon is becoming increasingly popular on the Internet and there are literally hundreds of thousands of players from around the world that are all joining in on the action. That’s because it’s a game that requires intense player strategy and concentration. Everyone has his or her own style of playing but one thing that is essential before you start is understanding the backgammon setup. Follow these easy backgammon instructions to get going.

The backgammon board game is played the same way online as it is offline. In the standard version of the game you play on a board with 24 points (alternating colored triangles across the face of the board). The board itself has 2 halves –one side is the inner board –also called the home board, and the other side is the outer board where players race their men (also called checkers) in order to reach the home board and bear off (meaning to take their men off the board an out of the game). The first to do wins.

Now looking at the backgammon set up, point 1 in your homeboard is the where you want to bring your checkers and point 24 in your opponents homeboard is the furthest away from where you want to go. To make it easier to understand, point 1 should be in the lower right corner of the backgammon board closest to you. Start by putting 2 checkers on point number 24 (furthest from your home board), then 5 checkers on point 13 and then 3 more checkers on point 8 and finally 5 checkers on point 6 (these are already in your home board). In total you should have 15 checkers and so should your opponent.

Now your opponent simply sets up his men in a mirror image of yours –in other words on the points directly across from where you placed your 15 checkers. To avoid any confusion each player has their own color men –usually light and dark. Now that you understand the backgammon setup it’s easy to get going. The nice thing about a backgammon game download is everything is set up automatically when you start playing. That’s why so many people are turning to backgammon software as their preferred way to play.

The backgammon download is easy and free. Just install and you can play whenever you want for fun or for real money bets. Free backgammon is a popular way to practice and sharpen your skills. Backgammon takes skills and is not a game of chance. A strong player that has much practice and experience will almost always beat out a weak player. That’s why backgammon strategy is essential when paying. In addition to learn how to play backgammon there are many advanced tips and strategies you can read about online in order to improve your playing abilities and your overall chances of winning. Good luck!

Backgammon is one of those games that have become a canonized in the world of classic games in just about every country on our planet. It’s been around for thousands of years and has spanned so many different cultures that it can truly be considered a universal game. Backgammon gambling is enjoyed in private one on one game as well as high stakes competitions and worldwide tournaments offering huge winner prizes. But if you’re new to the backgammon game then the first thing you must do is understand the basic board set up and the instructions on how to play.

First in order to play backgammon you must understand the layout of the board. Each player has 15 minute –usually light and dark to identify between the two players as in classic games like chess. The board itself is split in two halves with a bar dividing them. The outer board is on one side and the inner board is on the other. Each player will try to move their men (or checkers) to their homebard and once all backgammon checkers are in the homeboard the player can start bearing off –this is the final stage of the game. The first player to bear off all his or her men wins when playing backgammon online.

There are 24 points (alternate colored triangles) on the board and they are divided among 4 quadrants which contain 6 points each. The player moves his or her 15 checkers around on these quadrants according to the numbers rolled on a set of dice. If the point is occupied by more than 2 of the opponent’s checkers the player cannot move his men onto them. If there is only 1 of the opponents checkers on a point the player can land on it (called a hit) and knock the checker off the board onto the middle bar. These are the basic backgammon rules.

Internet backgammon works in the exact same way. As for the backgammon set up here’s how it’s done: point 1 is closest to you in your homeboard and point 24 in your opponents homeboard is as far away from where you want to be as you can get on the board. For the board set up, place 2 of your own checkers on point number 24 followed by 5 checkers on point 13, 3 checkers on point 8 and 5 checkers on point 6. Then your opponent can do the exact same just in a mirror image of your 15 pieces. In online backgammon the setup is done automatically to make life easier.

When using software to play on the net, the backgammon board is presented as a 3-d model in high-resolution graphics. It’s a very realistic version of the classic game and the backgammon set itself is exactly the same as a real board. After playing a few games many players get used to the virtual environment and enjoy some of the perks like being able to play for free or real money. Try out a game online and see why thousands of people are playing backgammon on the net.

The backgammon game has been around for thousands of years. Its origins are lost in the mists of time, but it seems that backgammon was played by the ancient Persians and spread through the Roman Empire and from here throughout the world. The fact the how to play backgammon is easily learned has led to the backgammon board game becoming a feature of many private homes, as well as cafes, clubs and places of entertainment. In the course of the thousands of years that the game has been played, a number of variations have developed, for the most part associated with specific regions, for example, Turkish backgammon.

Although a player who is used to playing the backgammon known in the western world may need a little time to familiarize themselves with the game played in a particular locality, there is much in common between the backgammon variations. Although there are differences in the backgammon setup and in backgammon strategy found between particular backgammon varieties, it should not take long for a player who has learned how to play one version of the game to learn how to play another version.

Leaving aside the varied ways in which backgammon is played in different areas of the world, the standard backgammon rules that are followed in international competitions are still what most people consider as providing the backgammon instructions they wish to follow in their games. Also, although online backgammon has become very popular over recent years, it is these international rules that govern the conduct of the majority of today’s backgammon software supports. Therefore, unless you are specifically searching for a regional variety of backgammon, your backgammon game download will give you a game conducted according to these internationally accepted rules.

How to play online backgammon and how to play backgammon on the traditional board both require an understanding of the objective of the game, the setup of the backgammon board, and the rules governing the moving of players. This information is easily acquired by observing experienced players, by playing demonstration Internet backgammon games and by reading the extensive backgammon rules available on online backgammon sites.

The aim of the game is for each player to move all their checkers to the area of the board designated as their home quadrant. From here, they are able to remove checkers from the board and the first one to succeed to remove all their checkers is the winner. The familiar backgammon setup involves each player being allotted fifteen checkers, with one player traditionally using white checkers while their opponent uses black checkers. The movement of checkers is controlled by the throw of a dice and this provides the random element that significantly contributes to the game’s excitement. However, in addition to the dice throw, the devising of a sound backgammon strategy also forms an essential element in a winning player’s performance and this develops as players gain experience. The best way to develop playing strategy is through practice using free backgammon software on the net.

When we think of the subject of backgammon gambling the first thing that comes to mind today is usually the exciting tournaments hosted by a range of Internet backgammon sites. However, it seems likely that the association between the backgammon game and gambling probably goes back to the origins of backgammon thousands of years ago. We know from records of the Roman game of tabula (considered one of the main ancestors of the backgammon we know today), that this game was only played for money rather for entertainment. Certainly it is easy to understand how the use of dice combined with the key element of good playing tactics have made the game an ideal choice for those who want to wager on its outcome.

Prior to the appearance of online backgammon, the biggest boost to backgammon as a popular gambling game came with the introduction of the doubling cube in the United States in the 1920’s. There is no point in using this cube when playing for fun alone, but when playing for money it is seen as adding significantly to the tension and hence the interest of the game. For those who are not so familiar with the backgammon rules, it is worthwhile to point out that the doubling cube is quite different from the standard backgammon dice both in appearance and function. The doubling cube is not numbered from one to six but it displays the numbers 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64. It is placed in a central position between the players and when a player’s turn comes up they may wish to offer this cube to their opponent. To show that they are offering the cube they turn it to the next highest value and present it to the other player. If the cube is accepted they agree to play backgammon for increased stakes, or they can resign from the game at the existing stakes. Obviously the decision to offer or decline the doubling cube depends on a player’s estimation of their chance of winning.

The introduction of backgammon online at the end of the twentieth century has brought a game that was already very popular with the gambling community to a new level of popularity. The offering of the free backgammon download and the creation of so many new opportunities to learn how to play backgammon, have attracted many new players. In addition to all these additional opportunities to find a game at time that suits you and opponents at a skill level you are looking for, the online backgammon sites have also boosted backgammon’s gaming potential by increasing the financial rewards for skilled players. The significant sums that can be won in backgammon tournaments even by players that only make it to the semi-finals has proven to be a great draw. The responsible way the leading backgammon sites have been managed has also encouraged gaming by offering a secure environment for wagers.

Nowadays backgammon is considered to be one of the most popular games in the world. Anyone can enjoy playing it either in its real “version” or a virtual one. Online games gain more and more respect among young players, children and grownup serious people.

It is evident that all of us need relaxation. The time free from work can become even more pleasant if you have the opportunity to make the most of it. You love to play, but you love money even more. That’s why you can turn to backgammon real money game, derive pleasure from the process and earn money at the same time.

Surely you can easily play backgammon game together with your friends just for fun, but you deserve to know that various tournaments are held online among all the backgammon lovers. They are organized for different purposes. You can just play the game without any inclination to earn, for your own pleasure, or you can attend funny game for funny money, or make a fortune out of backgammon real money game and show the world who is who. Want to be famous at least among ordinary users of internet and among online gamers? This is your chance. Because thanks to this very game you can win really huge cash, as in the vast expanses of the global net you can participate even in a $ 100,000 tournament.

Surely you should be a master if you want to win the game. That’s why training all the time won’t be out of place. Luck means a lot when you are in a casino, but here it’s only you who is responsible for your own winnings. Skills and practice are welcomed so you can develop your own strategy in order to be the first. Good money does not love losers so if you dare to enter the game, be steadfast to reach your goal.

Backgammon real money is a virtual entertainment with quite real winnings. In this case you have the motive to be the first. The game is not just a mere interest and the source of fun. It’s the real chance for you to show yourself and make a fortune. You have the desire to develop your skills and soon your efforts may be rewarded. It’s up to you whether you want to try yourself. In this game you do not risk anything. You just obtain another opportunity to earn more. Such games promote the passion and serve as a certain incentive to be the winner. People begin to estimate their own strength and as a result they see what they are capable of. Having faith in your own strengths will help achieve the most.

But surely everything must know its own place. There is no need to go mad about the backgammon. It’s just a game and like everything that is good and nice, it must have its own end. It is still necessary that you felt the spice of life. Do not overestimate the value of the game and money.

The backgammon board game would rank high on the list of the world’s most ancient pastimes. From its Middle-Eastern origins some five thousand years ago, the game spread across the Roman Empire and in subsequent centuries it made its way across the world. When the average person walks past a sidewalk café, or goes into a games shop, the backgammon game is instantaneously recognizable. Even people who have not yet learned how to play backgammon know that a board divided into twenty-four narrow triangular, alternately colored divisions, and its accompanying checkers, dice and dice shaker are all constituent elements in the backgammon setup. Backgammon sets have been a popular present for children on birthdays and festive occasions for many years, and even though not all of these children continue to become dedicated backgammon players, the backgammon set up is remembered by them.

For the many young recipients of backgammon gifts who go on to become keen players, the learning process usually starts with game played against school friends. As their interest develops further they may decide to join a backgammon club at school. Some players go further and start buying or borrowing books that provide valuable tips on how to improve their playing skills. Depending on how addicted they become to the game, and how well they acquire a successful backgammon strategy, they may go on to become successful competitors in backgammon tournaments. This has been the pattern followed for a good number of years and still evident today in many places. However, in the last decade or so the development of backgammon software has brought about a dramatic revolution in the backgammon world. Free background has opened up new horizons to both experienced players and novices.

The introduction of the backgammon download has resulted in a tremendous expansion of the opportunities to play backgammon. If someone new to the game wants to learn how to play but does not know where they can find a book to explain the game, the backgammon Internet site provides clear and detailed backgammon instructions to help the new player get started. If they cannot find a friend or neighbor interested in playing with them, they can start playing and learning the game by competing against a backgammon computer. Once their skills improve and they feel that they have mastered various backgammon strategies they can start competing against other players from all over the world on the Internet. In a short time these beginner players find that they can make many new friends with common interests and also the quality of their play continues to improve. As their play becomes more confident they might well be tempted to play for stakes and find that backgammon gambling makes the game more exciting and rewarding. Players also come to appreciate the opportunities online backgammon provides to play the game at a time that suits them and from a location that is convenient. They are no more tied to playing according to when it suits their friends, or when they have a chance to go to a club but they can find a game in accordance with their own schedule.

Are you looking for a new business opportunity that is completely hassle free and involves loads of entertainment value? Well, look no further as uVme is the place to be. This company has developed a skill based online gaming business that encapsulates the three most popular trends in entertainment today: online games, social networking and network marketing!

uVme has made it easier for you to join and get involved in this ground breaking opportunity. The business has been developed over a two year period with a seven figure sum having been invested to develop an exciting range of online games, an integrated messenger and associate network software and hardware to run the whole platform.

The best part about this opportunity is that the trends are positive and the timing could not have been better. The internet is reaching more and more people with the help of broadband services; with the result that cyberspace is becoming the place people are turning to for entertainment! It is estimated that one in every ten people are playing online games now and this figure will increase to six in ten in the next 36 months!

The increasing reach of the internet, coupled with increasing web access and downloads speeds are driving the online gaming market more than ever before. Last year alone the USA experienced a 75% growth in broadband connections, compared to 57% in the previous year; internet users in India increased by around 54% in one year alone. Today, broadband is providing quicker web access to people and the internet is reaching more homes and internet cafés. And this trend has further fuelled the popularity of live interaction and online entertainment.

This broadening scope of internet has a significant role in the market potential of online games. Estimates suggest that Internet cafes derive 30-40% of their incomes from people playing online games! The online market has been growing four times faster than internet itself! In fact, online entertainment is even serving tough competition to the television market. TV viewing and advertising figures are going down and it is estimated that in-game advertising will grow by 70% every year and in three years it will be worth billions of dollars.

European Internet Analyst, Alex Burmaster of Nielsen NetRatings reflects, ‘Take the fact that the online games sector is growing at four times the rate of overall Internet growth together with the increasing numbers online and it is easy to see why companies such as MTV Networks are looking to get a piece of the action.”

THE NEXT BIG REVOLUTION: The online games sector is now the next step in the evolution of online entertainment, as people from different parts of the world and a variety of age groups turn to cyberspace to play in their millions. And it’s the casual skill-based games within this sector that are moving up the ladder as the favourite pastime of these people.

uVme has developed a variety of casual skill games that include board games, like backgammon and draughts, sports games like pool, basketball and golf and puzzle games such as jigsaws. According to International Game Developers’ Association (IGDA), a skill based game is played in a tournament format, wherein every player pays a fee and on the completion of the game, a cash or merchandise prize goes to the winner. The outcome of these games is based on the players’ performance and ability, so that any element of luck eliminated in order to avoid falling under anti-gambling statutes.

It is obvious now that online games are where the money is. And uVme presents to you an excellent opportunity to make profit while playing games online! And all of this without any worries over selling, overheads or stocks.

You can be a part of this internet revolution by joining the uVme Skill Games Business today.

Author: Johnny Sorrento is an internet social networking guru and uVme pioneer.