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One Card Poker

by Richard

Earlier today I was reading a paper called Game Theory and Poker by Jason Swanson. The paper focuses on optimal bluffing strategies in a simplified game of poker. The author calls it One Card Poker. By taking the game to its barest form, the author is able to explain game theory without having to worry about the complications and nuances associated with normal poker games. His ideas on bluffing strategy apply to any form of poker. Of course the the player must take into consideration the different complexities of each game.

The author concludes that game theory is a paradox since the “optimal strategy” leads to neutral EV. In his game of One Card Poker using the “optimal strategy” neutralized the opponent. Therefore, to achieve a positive EV, the player must make plays that go against the “optimal strategy”.

It should be noted that the “optimal strategy” can lead to positive EV. This applies when the opponent is making what the author calls “stupid mistakes”. The simplicity of One Card Poker does a good job illustrating the concept of “stupid mistakes”, which are plays that are always negative EV. If this concept is applied to more complicated games of poker, it becomes easy to see why an “optimal strategy” can be effective against the average player.

After reading the article I programmed my own game of One Card Poker. The AI, however, is not programmed using the “optimal strategy”. I planned to do so, but forgot the link to the paper when I was creating the game. Also aces are low in this game.

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Posted in Other, Strategy on March 8th, 2007

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