How to Build an AI Poker Coach With ChatGPT

It’s crazy to think how far poker has come. First, solvers and GTO changed the game, and now we’ve entered an era where AI can put a virtual poker pro right in your back pocket.

So, have you ever considered incorporating an artificial intelligence (AI) into your poker strategy? 

Well, language models like ChatGPT can now be tailored to build personalized poker coaches who will analyze your plays, strategize with you, and even assist with maintaining calm during a tilt –what a dream.

Want a taste? Join us as we show you how to create your very own AI poker coach.

Part 1: Which AI Should You Choose for Your Poker Companion?

Although creating your poker AI companion may sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, it’s very attainable. The first step should be selecting an appropriate AI model.

Let’s break down your options together. 

1. ChatGPT: The Heavyweight Champ (With a Catch) 

OpenAI’s ChatGPT is unquestionably the premier application available – its paid version, ChatGPT Plus, boasts an expansive knowledge base and impressive conversational skills.

However, free versions have their limitations: they can be inconsistent and miss out on subtleties of complex situations, but still, they provide an excellent starting point for casual players or those on a budget.

2. Free Alternatives with Potential

Don’t write off the underdogs! Free language models exist that can compete at the poker table. 

Take a look at these options below:

• GPT-Neo: EleutherAI’s open-source model GPT-Neo is worth considering as an underdog language model; although not as polished as ChatGPT, its capabilities remain impressive as steady development occurs over time.
• Hugging Face Models: This platform has a variety of language models, many of which are free for users. Some, like DialoGPT, are tailored specifically for conversations–making them suitable for providing poker advice.

Part 2: Training Your AI Poker Teacher

Selecting the proper AI model is only half of the battle; to turn your AI into a winning poker whiz, training it is the key.

What Types of Data Should I Be Providing My AI With?

Just like any crusher, your AI companion must study its game to become successful.  In order to turn it into a poker titan, it needs a steady diet of high-level knowledge–one which separates the fish from the sharks.

Next, let’s look at some important data to input.

1. Hand Histories

Hand histories are at the core of poker analysis. So, input as much of these as possible. 

Both your own hand history, as well as those of other players (if available), offer impactful insight into how various players approach different situations, the lines they take, and any mistakes they may make–providing your AI with real-world examples to learn from.

2. Poker Theory Books and Blogs

Beyond hand histories, consider training your AI’s poker knowledge with info from timeless books such as David Sklansky’s “The Theory of Poker” and Bill Chen’s “The Mathematics of Poker,” along with insights from popular poker blogs and training sites.

To give your AI the best shot at learning, convert those resources into plain text.

3. Forums and Discussions

Connect with other poker players online via forums and discussion threads, as they offer different perspectives and strategies. With that said, be cautious to not take what they say at face value as not everyone online is an expert; but transcribing these conversations could be a valuable resource for your AI.

Note: Your AI poker coach can only learn as effectively from the data it receives; think of it like this – garbage in, garbage out. Thus, prioritize high-quality data sources from reliable authors or players when gathering data to train your AI poker coach.

Treat your AI Poker Companion Like a Student 

Think of your AI poker partner as a student eager to learn.

Through iterative learning, your AI refines its strategies based on interactions–for instance, if it suggests questionable lines, let it know why you disagree, and when making winning plays be sure to notify it so it can reinforce them further.

Did you fold because you picked up on a subtle tell? Did you raise to exploit a perceived weakness? Sharing your thought process helps your AI understand your unique playing style and adapt its advice accordingly.

Here are a couple of prompts to give your AI feedback:

• “I disagree with your suggestion to call in this spot. I think folding is the better option because…“
• “That was a great call by you! I wouldn’t have considered that line, but it worked out perfectly.“

This constant feedback loop enables your AI to understand your playing style, identify strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately become a more personalized & effective coach.

Part 3: Engaging Your AI Poker Coach

Congrats! Your AI poker coach has been fed with knowledge and fine-tuned through iterative learning.  Now comes the real test: taking your digital card shark online.

Next, we will explore how you can utilize AI as a partner to analyze hands, develop winning strategies, and even conquer mental game obstacles.

1. Hand Analysis

Here’s a scenario for you: you’ve just had a brutal bad beat, losing a monster hand like aces full to quads. Your frustration levels rise quickly and tilt is creeping in. Instead of lashing out with anger at the keyboard, turn to your AI companion.

It’ll listen as you vent before dissecting every aspect of the hand together: replaying each street to give a fresh perspective; perhaps revealing subtle tells or betting patterns which gave off the wrong impression to opponents.

• Share the Hand History: To use an AI effectively, copy and paste either raw hand history data or an account of how the event transpired into it. Be sure to include information like hole cards, board cards, bet sizings, and any observations about opponent tendencies into it.
• Use Probing Questions: Don’t just ask “Did I play this hand correctly?” Instead, prompt your AI with more specific inquiries.

• Ask AI these questions after every hand played: “Was I aware of any tells in terms of bet size that I missed?”  or “What would have been an optimal line on the turn?“
• Ask your AI to analyze the hand from different perspectives: Input prompts like “What would have happened if I had bet smaller on the flop?” or “What if I had check-raised the turn?” This “what if” analysis can help uncover new lines of play while clarifying their impact.
• Make Use of AI’s Expert Opinion: Once your AI has thoroughly evaluated a hand, seek its expert opinion by asking it what changes should be made based on your playing style and this specific situation. You could inquire: “What changes should I be making to my strategy in similar spots in future?”

2. Strategy Development

In poker, strategy is king. It’s the difference between making a calculated bluff and getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar. The good news is that AI can be a valuable tool in your strategy arsenal, helping you calculate odds, analyze your opponents’ moves, and guide you towards better decisions at the poker table.

Begin by asking your AI-specific questions.

For instance, ask queries such as: “What’s an optimal 3-betting strategy against loose opponents in heads-up matches?” or “How should I adjust my C bet frequency on wet boards?” for optimal advice from AI. 

The more targeted and actionable this advice becomes, the better AI can up your game.

Don’t just trust intuition; let AI crunch the numbers for you. 

Feed it your hand histories from PokerTracker or Hold’em Manager and AI will analyze them and highlight strengths, weaknesses, and patterns in your play that might otherwise go undetected. With data-driven analysis of your play, this insight allows for informed adjustments to strategy alongside pinpointing any leaks in strategy that might arise.

Want to explore Game Theory Optimal (GTO) play? Have your AI analyze different GTO scenarios and explain its principles, or put aggressive and passive approaches through their paces in virtual tournaments to see which style suits you best.

3. Mental Game Support

Poker is a battleground where emotions run high and tilt can happen at any moment–AI could be your key to mastering the mental game of poker.

Tilt Management

Instead of getting defensive after experiencing a setback, turn instead to AI for help managing your emotions.  For example:

• “I recently lost a huge pot with aces. Now, I’m on tilt. How can I calm down and refocus?“
• “My confidence has taken a hit recently; what steps can I take to regain composure?” 
• “When tilted, I often make hasty decisions; how can I develop more discipline?“

Maintain Focus

If you’re struggling with maintaining focus in long sessions, ask your AI for advice on concentration techniques and strengthening mental stamina. For instance:

• “I’m getting distracted at the tables. What are some effective strategies for staying engaged and focused?“
• “Can I avoid distractions and maintain mental clarity during a tournament?” 
• “What are some tips for dealing with fatigue and preventing burnout?“

Create a Winning Perspective 

Your AI can assist in building a winning poker mindset essential to long-term poker success, using prompts such as:

• “What are some effective strategies for visualizing success and building confidence?” 
• “How can I adopt a growth mindset to learn from mistakes?“

Your AI can also serve as a mental game advisor and support, acting as a sounding board for all of your thoughts and emotions. Even the pros experience tilt, focus issues, and self-doubt. Your AI companion is there to assist with these challenges. It can help you build up the mental toughness necessary to navigate the high-pressure world of poker.

Part 4: Factors to Consider

Now that your AI poker teacher is set up, we’re going to explore considerations for using AI ethically and effectively in your poker journey.

Experimenting with Different AI Models 

Don’t limit yourself to just one AI coach; explore various models and take advantage of all their different perspectives, strategies, and insights. Each AI offers something special–be it hand analysis, strategic planning advice or mental game coaching–so make the most out of this opportunity by exploring multiple AI’s.

For example: you could start out with ChatGPT for general advice before turning to GPT-Neo for in-depth scenarios or GTO analysis.

Ethical Considerations

Poker is a game where reputation matters just as much as the cards you’re dealt. Don’t create automated bots that play for you. Nobody respects a cheater. 

AI can be a powerful tool to learn and get better, but using it to gain an unfair advantage is like marking the cards. It’s a slippery slope and one that can cost you the respect of your peers. At the end of the day, poker is a game of skill and integrity. And as poker players, we should do our part to keep it that way.

AI’s Limitations

While AI models like ChatGPT have shown amazing potential, keep in mind that they’re not perfect. They might sometimes miss subtle details, offer incomplete information, or suggest strategies that don’t fit your style of play–so just make use of them wisely.

AI Can up Your Poker Game

As we’ve covered, AI is much more than self-driving cars and chatbots; it can give you a real edge in poker.

Take advantage of it and you can analyze your play, make data-driven decisions, and ultimately elevate your play with AI’s help. Now, simply get started–there are user-friendly AI tools designed for players of all levels available online–they make integrating AI into your game a walk in the park.

Oh, and remember to experiment, learn, and adapt as poker is ever-evolving! AI will enable you to stay ahead of the pack with your very own virtual poker coach. 

Now go out there and run deep!

Note: Do not use AI or any other forms of assistance during play in poker rooms, as this likely violates the room’s rules and can result in your account being banned.