A Clockwork Fish

Poker-mania is everywhere. As much as I love the game I'm very surprised that it has become a spectator sport. Texas Hold Em is everywhere now. I've played online numerous times but have always found the virtual game to be a rather dry impersonation of the real-life version. There's also the issue of potential collusion, but that isn't a purely online phenomenon. The popular press has been quick to write about the possibility that some online poker players aren't actually players at all, but rather computer programs acting as "bots" that play the games automatically. Personally, I say "Bring em on!" One day the bots will be good enough to beat seasoned players, but I don't think that day has come yet.

Now, however, it looks like the Bots are getting their own World Series of Poker. I'll bet they almost never hold up a hand by watching a football game or going to the crapper.