Poker-AI.org

Hi Everyone,

I'm a long time poker player with absolutely zero programming experience looking to start on the path to doing some work on the AI side of the fence. I'm looking for any and all advice on how best to proceed given my background. My initial plan is to shoot for implementing CFRM on something like Leduc Holdem since a.) it's a relatively small game and b.) there is source code out there that I could, in theory, use to check my work and or compare with.

Given that I have no experience I'm starting from the very ground floor. I'm not sure if I should try to take a general intro to computer science class at the local college, buy a book on C++, try and find a tutor or mentor, or just go straight for the project and flail away. If anyone has any advice, be it books or general direction, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm excited about the prospects of learning something new, but taking that first step is always a bit tricky when the landscape ahead of you is so vast!

Thanks

C++: too hard for a beginner
Java: OK for beginner, fast enough for most problems, test bot in Poker Academy, use free IDE like Eclipse
C#: OK for beginner, fast enough for most problems, free version in MS Studio Express
Scala: more concise than Java and completely compatible, and shares all advantages. Maybe hard to learn for a beginner
Python: more concise than Java or C#, but also slower. Don't know more than that.

Popularity on this forum I'd estimate from top to bottom: Java, C#, C++, Python, Scala

Try first to learn from a beginners book. Then get a more advanced book and use Stack Overflow. Or http://www.kogics.net/sf:kojo might appeal. I don't know a single programmer who learnt from a course. It's unlikely that any CS you will learn at a beginner level will be of any use in this problem.

Poker Academy company has gone bust, but you should be able to download a crack and run in it in a VM.

I'd be cautious about going down the CFRM route. This is likely to take a very long time to develop a working bot. If you are a good poker player it might be quicker to use some of that knowledge in your program.