TripleQ
07-20-2005, 02:56 PM
-- Phil Laak Beats Toughest Poker Robot In The World --
LAS VEGAS, July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Chess is a game with perfect
information. Poker is uncertain, incomplete and emotionally-driven. Nobody
knew how this Man vs. Machine battle would go down in the history books.
In 1997, IBM's Deep Blue Supercomputer played a well-fought match with
reigning World Chess Champion, Garry Kasparov. The machine won. In what some
writers called "Deep Bluff," Poker Champion Phil Laak went head-to-head with
the world's best Poker Robot on July 15, 2005 and emerged victorious.
Sponsored by GoldenPalace.com, the World Poker Robot Championship brought
together six of the world's best programmers to compete for $100,000. The
winner, appropriately named Poker Probot, took down the winner-takes-all prize
and won the right to challenge one of poker's best players in a battle of
human versus machine. The winning robot, built by Hilton "Pocket Rockets"
Givens, went on to beat the University of Alberta's robot in an exhibition
match.
It was Phil Laak's turn to face the machine on Sunday, July 15, 2005 at
Binion's Horseshoe Casino after six robots battled for three days to determine
the Best Poker Robot in the world.
Laak battled the winning robot in a three-hour Limit game. While holding
even for most of the first half of the competition, Laak realized that the
machine was "playing too aggressive" and changed his playing style to
capitalize "on 'his' weakness" to win the match. Cheered on by an audience
chanting, "Humans, Humans," Laak eventually won the three-hour battle which
saw over 300 hands. He closed the books on the Best Poker Robot with a game-
winning pair of aces, beating his competitive computer counterpart, who had a
pair of kings.
After letting out a loud victory cry, Laak accepted numerous
congratulations from the audience, a warm hug from his already famous, WSOP-
bracelet winning girlfriend, actress Jennifer Tilly, and a $100 side bet that
he made with the bot's programmer.
"March of the Machines" - Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times referred to the competition as: "The March of the
Machines." The question was: Could a human stop them? Phil Laak won the match
by "learning the patterns of the computer" and "applying fierce concentration"
because machines don't get tired. Players and fans alike were drawn to the
match with Poker Pro Greg Raymer stopping by the match to wish good luck.
"Until now, Poker Robot competitions have existed in the underground,"
said Darren Shuster, Co-Manager for the event, "and we're making it a truly
global competition for Poker and gaming enthusiasts to enjoy at the venue in
Las Vegas, on TV or via the Internet."
What's next? College tours, upcoming event in Atlantic City, related TV
program, Poker Robot teams and much more. Stay plugged in.
ABOUT POKER ROBOT, LLC
Pop Culture PR, a company based in Los Angeles specializing in Mass
Consumer & Lifestyle Publicity, teamed up with Ken Mages, a successful
inventor with over 20 U.S. issued patents. Please call (818) 992-3145 for all
media inquires.
ABOUT GOLDENPALACE.COM(R)
GoldenPalace.net(R) is dedicated to making your gaming experience as
exciting and rewarding as possible. We combine cutting-edge software, 24-hr.
live support, and the most advanced security measures available to provide the
thrill of Las Vegas from the comfort and safety of your own home, visit
www.goldenpalace.com. (http://www.goldenpalace.com.)
ABOUT PHIL "THE UNABOMBER" LAAK
A "genius" player, his "Phil-osophical" style and theatrical table manners
make him the player everyone wants to watch and be around. Phil's tournament
records include a World Poker Tour First Place win, and top ten places in a
variety of professional tournaments. Phil is one of the World Poker Tour's
"Bad Boys of Poker."
SOURCE Pop Culture PR
Darren Shuster of Pop Culture PR, +1-818-992-3145
LAS VEGAS, July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Chess is a game with perfect
information. Poker is uncertain, incomplete and emotionally-driven. Nobody
knew how this Man vs. Machine battle would go down in the history books.
In 1997, IBM's Deep Blue Supercomputer played a well-fought match with
reigning World Chess Champion, Garry Kasparov. The machine won. In what some
writers called "Deep Bluff," Poker Champion Phil Laak went head-to-head with
the world's best Poker Robot on July 15, 2005 and emerged victorious.
Sponsored by GoldenPalace.com, the World Poker Robot Championship brought
together six of the world's best programmers to compete for $100,000. The
winner, appropriately named Poker Probot, took down the winner-takes-all prize
and won the right to challenge one of poker's best players in a battle of
human versus machine. The winning robot, built by Hilton "Pocket Rockets"
Givens, went on to beat the University of Alberta's robot in an exhibition
match.
It was Phil Laak's turn to face the machine on Sunday, July 15, 2005 at
Binion's Horseshoe Casino after six robots battled for three days to determine
the Best Poker Robot in the world.
Laak battled the winning robot in a three-hour Limit game. While holding
even for most of the first half of the competition, Laak realized that the
machine was "playing too aggressive" and changed his playing style to
capitalize "on 'his' weakness" to win the match. Cheered on by an audience
chanting, "Humans, Humans," Laak eventually won the three-hour battle which
saw over 300 hands. He closed the books on the Best Poker Robot with a game-
winning pair of aces, beating his competitive computer counterpart, who had a
pair of kings.
After letting out a loud victory cry, Laak accepted numerous
congratulations from the audience, a warm hug from his already famous, WSOP-
bracelet winning girlfriend, actress Jennifer Tilly, and a $100 side bet that
he made with the bot's programmer.
"March of the Machines" - Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times referred to the competition as: "The March of the
Machines." The question was: Could a human stop them? Phil Laak won the match
by "learning the patterns of the computer" and "applying fierce concentration"
because machines don't get tired. Players and fans alike were drawn to the
match with Poker Pro Greg Raymer stopping by the match to wish good luck.
"Until now, Poker Robot competitions have existed in the underground,"
said Darren Shuster, Co-Manager for the event, "and we're making it a truly
global competition for Poker and gaming enthusiasts to enjoy at the venue in
Las Vegas, on TV or via the Internet."
What's next? College tours, upcoming event in Atlantic City, related TV
program, Poker Robot teams and much more. Stay plugged in.
ABOUT POKER ROBOT, LLC
Pop Culture PR, a company based in Los Angeles specializing in Mass
Consumer & Lifestyle Publicity, teamed up with Ken Mages, a successful
inventor with over 20 U.S. issued patents. Please call (818) 992-3145 for all
media inquires.
ABOUT GOLDENPALACE.COM(R)
GoldenPalace.net(R) is dedicated to making your gaming experience as
exciting and rewarding as possible. We combine cutting-edge software, 24-hr.
live support, and the most advanced security measures available to provide the
thrill of Las Vegas from the comfort and safety of your own home, visit
www.goldenpalace.com. (http://www.goldenpalace.com.)
ABOUT PHIL "THE UNABOMBER" LAAK
A "genius" player, his "Phil-osophical" style and theatrical table manners
make him the player everyone wants to watch and be around. Phil's tournament
records include a World Poker Tour First Place win, and top ten places in a
variety of professional tournaments. Phil is one of the World Poker Tour's
"Bad Boys of Poker."
SOURCE Pop Culture PR
Darren Shuster of Pop Culture PR, +1-818-992-3145