GamesGrid Gin Rummy FAQ

gin rummy frequently-asked questions

GG Robots

What are the GG robots?

GG robots are neural-net gin rummy players, provided for your enjoyment. They are able to play at a reasonably high level.

How were the GG robots developed?

The GG robots were developed using standard neural network technology. In addition, the robots are wired to play multiple-simultaneous matches, in order to make them available to more players.

Who may play the GG robots?

GamesGrid members may invite robot players. Guests may watch the games, of course the robots play only public matches. GGotter accepts invitations only from players rated below 1750. GGweasel accepts invitations only from players rated below 1600. GGchipmunk accepts invitations only from players rated below 1400.

Why do the robots' ratings fluctuate so much?

Even though the robots play completely consistently from match to match and day to day, you will see wide variations in their ratings over time. Although unfinished matches and the particular opponents played also have a role, these fluctuations are due almost entirely to the luck inherent in gin rummy. Like all of us, the robots experience good and bad streaks, and when they do, their ratings change accordingly.

Because the robots play so many matches (between 2000 and 4000 matches per day), their ratings fluctuate more than those of human players. On the other hand, the robots never get tired or steamed or overconfident. Over an equal number of matches playing against the same player mix, their ratings tend to vary less that would those of a human player against the same mix of opponents.

Because of the luck of the draw, it is fairly common for a robot to be rated 100 points higher or lower than its average, and it sometimes will be rated more than 200 points from its average. This is normal in gin rummy, and suggests that humans players should be less concerned about such fluctuations in their own ratings (but human nature makes that difficult).

How do the robots get such good cards?

Robot players receive cards in the same way as every other player. The robot programs run on different machines than the game servers. They are connected to the server using the same client program that human players use, modified to communicate with the robot evaluation engine and to send the selected plays automatically. As far as the game server is concerned, the robots are the same as every other player on GamesGrid.

The robots may appear to get better than average cards, due to their high level of play. Like the best human players, they arrange their hands so that more cards are good for them, and fewer cards good for their opponents. Because the higher-level robots play better than the great majority of players, they appear luckier to the uncritical eye.

A GG robot is not accepting invitations. What's wrong?

The robots are playing multiple-simultaneous matches. When they are available for an invitation, their green available indicator will light up. When they are playing as many matches as they can simultaneously, the available indicator will be off.

Can I get robots to play slower (or faster)?

Yes. A robot begins each match at its "medium" speed. Although you cannot affect its calculation speed, a robot's opponent may ask it to change the speed at which it makes its moves, by typing in the chat entry box

/tell robotname slower
or
/tell robotname faster

where robotname is GGbeaver, or GGotter, or one of the other robot names. The robot will announce that it is adjusting its playing speed.

At its fastest speed, a robot moves the cards as soon as the best play is selected. At its slowest speed, it will pause approximately two seconds before it makes each move.

Only a robot's opponent may request speed adjustments.

last modified: 2005-04-27