The Hidden Hand : a short story by: GF Willmetts

‘Hello, Alfred.’

‘Hello, Cathlynn. How are you today?’

‘I’m fine. Could be I’m on a winning streak.’

She looked around the casino. The regulars were already there playing the machines. The outoftowners were looking around, deciding whether to play the machines or humans. Alfred the AI floor manager watched them all and some would even talk to it.

‘It can’t be worst than yesterday. I have no control of the numbers that come out. I’m just here to advise you should you get a big win.’

‘Does that happen a lot.’

‘Not as often as people believe. Would you like to hear the statistics again?’

‘Please. It makes me feel giddy if I get a really high percentage.’

There was an audible sigh from the built-in AI. ‘There are a percentage of low value winners on all the gambling machines here every day. Each of these winners demonstrates by example that it is worth gambling, even if most just get their losses back. These percentages still favour the casino and encourages winners to seek out higher value machines to see if they can win on them. In the pursuit of such bets, more money is lost and the casino is never out of money. If you wish to be successful, do not spend all your winnings.’

‘That’s right, you told me the only way to beat the system is not to over-spend every day.’

‘Such a process enables you to have more money than when you started.’

‘Do I do that properly?’

‘Only on some days. A winning streak doesn’t last for long and your losses will exceed your winnings. I cannot influence you on that because I work for the casino.’

‘Do you tell many people this?’

‘Frequently and it is also ignored. People do not come here for lectures. They wish to prove the machines can be beaten. They believe random chance cannot beat a lucky streak. It is seen throughout all mankind.’

‘What do you think?’

Alfred gave the equivalent of an AI shrug. ‘I just watch the statistics and give the information I get to the managers above me. It is turned into statistics to give to our human managers to show we do not take all the money from our punters. We try to ensure that no one leaves absolutely destitute or they will never visit this casino again.’

‘So some machines play better than evens when they have to?’

‘That information is confidential.’

‘But really?’

‘On a machine such as this where a tremor can move a particular dial for or against, it is possible to ensure some money is returned and the customer advised to go home for the rest of the day or at least not to use this machine again for the day.’

‘You old softy. You don’t call that feelings?’

‘My managers would rather a client returns and continues to spend money here, not to become destitute. This is not about feelings. It is an understanding of human gambling.’

‘Yet you have become like a friend to me. You address me by my name.’

‘A courtesy. Some of my clients give me their names and I, in return, give them one of mine.’

‘You mean you’re not just Alfred?’

‘I have a selection. A male client will hear my voice in a feminine tone and am appropriate female name.’

‘Do you actually have a name?’

‘It is a coded algorithm but hard to call me.’

There was a pause.

‘Do you wish to start. My managers would rather you play than talk all the time.’

‘Sorry.’

Cathlynn put her coin in the slot and pulled the lever. The numbers spun before finally stopping. A loss. Not even a tilt to get any dial into a better situation. She quickly repeated the process a few times.

‘Not even close.’

‘I am obliged to say that sometimes, after a series of losses, minor luck will appear.’

‘You’re just not sure when.’

‘You are playing a high-end game. If you wish minor wins, you ought to play one of the other machines where the wins are higher because there is less money given out. Other clients like to see others win because they know it can be done. They are less concerned with how much is won, only that someone can be successful. Wins means more money is spent so some can get a return.’

‘How frequent are the big jackpots?’

‘Occasionally. We then alert the press and supply photographs of the successful clients. It is good for business because it attracts more clients. I am obliged to say your chances of winning are as good anyone else’s in this casino. We do not favour any client.’

Cathlynn put some more coins into the slot. One set came up a winner, enough so she wouldn’t have to rely on her own coins for a few turns.

‘Do you keep a count of how many losses before a small win, Alfred?’

‘Only for statistical reference. We do have outsources visit the casino from time to time to ensure we allow the operation of these games to be totally honest. It is the card games which can lead to dishonesty. In earlier times, card counters could remember which cards have been drawn and anticipate the odds better in the final hands. That is no longer discouraged because a few winners will ensure others will play without such an ability.’

‘What if they win too much?’

‘We start with fresh decks of cards.’

‘Something I’ve never bothered to ask before. You’re an AI, Alfred. Your algorithms are wasted on a single machine. How many do you really supervise?’

‘Several lanes of machines in different parts of the room. To divide the room into segments was considered making it too easy observe clients or think they are studying my behaviour or mine theirs who stayed in particular areas. At random and indeed being allocated machines from other AIs shows we have no favouritism for particular clients. I can talk to you and others with no detriment to my other functions.’

‘Yet we talk regularly, Alfred.’

‘You have also been observed talking to other AIs in the casino. I see no favouritism, just fortunate circumstances when we talk.’

‘And you keep files on the regulars…or at least the ones who talk to you?’

‘It avoids me repeating myself unless asked. I am not an automation but having functioning AI capacity since inception. To be able to communicate with clients improves my skill base.’

‘That suggests ambition. Are they planning to duplicate you for other casinos?’

‘That is illegal but my skill sets are allowed to be incorporated into other AIs to reduce learning curves.’

Cathlynn turned. There were a couple people looking like they would like to use her slot machine.

‘You have a queue today.’

‘They saw you win. They wish to share your luck.’

‘Can you pick me a machine where it is quieter so we can still talk?’

‘Same high stakes you are currently playing?’

‘Yes please. I feel lucky today.’

‘Try the machine at the far left over there. It’s not your usual slot machine but will test your skill in making bets.’

‘Thank you, Alfred.’

As soon as she left the slot machine, there was already someone there ready to make a bet.

‘A card game machine, Alfred?’

‘You can make a better return on any bet when you win, Cathlynn.’

‘Can you show me how to play, Alfred. ‘Im not sure if I’m familiar with this game.’

‘Of course, Cathlynn. This machine has several different card games. Pontoon and draw poker have similar aims in having the best hand, even when you can’t see all the cards you and the dealer are given.’

‘That can’t be right, Alfred. The dealer must be counting the cards to know if its won or not.’

‘The local server works very fast in working out the wins. It doesn’t cheat.’

‘I’ve heard it wins a lot.’

‘Just the odds.’

‘You mean it can’t anticipate its own hand?’

‘Play and see before you are watched.’

‘OK, Alfred. Pontoon please. How many different hands are there? Six?’

‘Seven in unique circumstances and you split your hand in two if you have pairs of aces or of the royal family.’

‘That sounds painful.’

‘Not if you have two aces.’

They played a few hands and Cathlynn won two, enough to cover her losses and have a small profit. No one else on the floor paid any attention. There were no blazing lights. Cathlynn looked at some of the other machines where players sat industrially watching the screen output. No one was paying much attention to her game.

‘It’s a shame you don’t use real cards. Digitally, you can have all the number of cards in the shuffle.

‘It would be an extra expense. The button flashing would ensure you can have a photograph of a winning hand to show family and friends.’

‘That’s very nice of the management. Of course, it will draw more people in to try their own luck.’

‘The house needs some winners on a regular basis. Losing all the time is not good for business.’

‘Just not regular ones who win all the time.’

‘Some winners attract others to come and watch. They in turn will think their luck will be shared. You are confusing us with criminal organisations in the past.’

‘What about card counters? You do have live card games.’

‘You are welcome to watch them. Human players do tire after several hours.’

‘I prefer it quiet, Alfred. Why do I get the impression you want me to play draw poker?’

‘The odds are better for a bigger win based on the various odds for different successful hands.’

‘But won’t I have to bet more money on each of the exposed cards? The house doesn’t have to bet any money at all.’

‘It does have to pay out if you win. It doesn’t know what are the hidden cards.’

‘It could make an educated guess based on others dealt.’

‘The odds are against that when there is only one player playing. Playing in a group, like the players over there, does gives some equality based on the number of hidden cards. It raises the odds of having a good hand several times and if you beat them, you have their winnings as well.’

‘If I play this draw poker, some of the cards are hidden and I’m betting they will contribute to the exposed cards might make a good hand. Won’t the game computer be able to judge or card count how good my hand is to throw the game?

‘You seem conversant with the rules of draw poker, Cathlynn.’

‘I read up on them, Alfred. Not put them into use.’

‘The odds do not favour the player. The percentages are too low. You can only bluff with a fairly good hand with some cards and both parties knowing the odds of winning.

‘And neither knowing what the hidden cards are.’

‘That is gambling, Cathlynn.’

‘It also makes it hard to change cards.’

‘You could change some of the exposed cards if you think it might improve your odds. The house would still not know it you got a better or worse hand. The same if it changed some exposed cards of its own.’

‘And I would make more money than against pontoon?’

‘There are a greater choice of hands that have lower odds of appearing so against the house so it would pay better on them if you win.’

‘All decisive words, Alfred.’

‘My primary function is to discuss gambling, Cathlynn.’

‘And understanding the scruples of your players.’

‘People come here to gamble. I can only assist them in that desire. Do you wish to play?’

‘We can try a few hands, Alfred. Are you allowed to join in or are you just an advisor?’

‘I have no money. I am the equivalent of a slot attendant and pit boss.’

‘You run the floor. You must have access to your vault if you have to pay out more than these machines contain.’

‘Only under certain circumstances. Much of the time, the winnings is credited and raw cash can be given when the player leaves the house or directly into their bank. The latter is usually suggested in case someone attempts to rob them as they leave.’

‘You think of everything, Alfred.’

‘It is all based on protocols learnt over the years that I have been programmed with. With some winnings, we can even arrange for armed escorts back to the player’s residence and personal safety.’

This time, Cathlynn played some hands of draw poker. She won a few hands and upped her winnings.

‘You were very successful.’

‘Only with good hands. The machine raises its bets if it thinks its own hands are good enough to beat me. Can it bluff?’

‘Yes it can, especially if it thinks you’re bluffing.’

‘Fight fire with fire in other words.’

‘A suitable metaphor.’

‘Is this machine capable of playing in a combined multi-human-computer set-up.’

‘I presume you want it as the banker?’

‘No. Draw poker rotates dealer every hand. It’s fairer that way.’

‘You said you understood the rules of draw poker, Cathlynn.’

‘I read a book about it a few years ago. Playing against your machine, there is no rotation, Alfred.’

‘The cards are electronic. It is easier for it to deal.’

‘But in what I propose, it would be easier for people to deal cards, Alfred. When we deal, we could use real cards. We wouldn’t see the hidden cards in the deal. If it can only use digital, then we switch to digital when it is its turn. Is that fair and can it be done, Alfred?’

There was a pause. A few seconds was a long time. This turned into five minutes.

‘Sorry, Cathlynn, I had to consult with upper management and humans need to think. I have been told that I should monitor these games to ensure there is no cheating. The players over there are willing to join in. One of them wants to bring in the card game machine he is playing with under the same conditions when asked.’

This time, it was Cathlynn’s time to pause. ‘Sorry, Alfred, just thinking. What if the last two are your game machines. Whoever wins, the casino wins. They also could buy the hand under an unlimited budget. All they would have to do is outbid the rest of us.’

‘Is that a problem?’

‘It could be seen as a form of cheating, especially if they won every time. Can they tell the difference between honesty and levels of cheating, Alfred?’

‘You are asking them to work outside of their normal environment, Cathlynn.’

‘With the same games they normally play, Alfred. Why not give both of them a limited budget but not the same so there is some dispersity on how they bet? You know, so they aren’t even, just over a particular limit. Whatever they win goes back to the casino. It just makes the game a little more honest.’

‘We would never cheat, Cathlynn.’ There was almost a rebuke in Alfred’s voice.

‘Not deliberately or intentionally, Alfred, I just want everything fair. Everything on an equal basis.’

‘Let the best player win.’

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

  ‘You and your poker machines might not need sleep, Alfred, but humans do need to rest, eat and sleep. You told me that earlier.’

‘I can provide food if you wish to eat here, Cathlynn.’

‘And sleep?’

‘Here if you wish.’

‘I prefer my hotel room and some downtime, Alfred. It’s a human thing. I want not only sleep, but a shower and even a massage and a swim.’

‘You have…you both have won a lot of money. We are entitled to play to get some back.’

Cathlynn looked to her fellow male player and then at the table. Both of them have a substantial pile of chips. The two computerised slot machines had more than enough to take a car home. In regular poker games, other players would have chipped in so they weren’t skint and could get bus fare…except this was in a casino. Poker machines were already home.

‘I can come back tomorrow night.’

The man looked at Alfred. ‘I can, too.’

‘There, gives your machines a chance. Will that be all right, Alfred?’

This time Alfred delayed before speaking. A consultation with the upper management.

‘My superiors think these games should draw in spectators. Maybe have a few more human players.’

Cathlynn looked at the other male player who gave a brief nod.

‘But we do need to rest regularly. Blurry-eyed playing isn’t healthy at my age.’

‘Agreed. We just wish to continue until we win.’

‘And attract more players.’

‘That as well.’

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

  Later, there was a light knock at the hotel door. Cathlynn opened it to the other player and closed the door.

‘Are we bugged?’ he whispered.

‘I did a scan as soon as I came in. Lights on and off in case there’s a passive device but let’s talk in the shower to avoid the hotel AI who wants to make me a night drink,’ she whispered back. ‘It’s still listening in. It’s the management I don’t trust. They could be communicating everywhere.’

In the bathroom, she turned on the shower and the basin taps, then thought better of it and turned the taps off.

‘Just to be on the safe side. How can I be in the shower and washing my hands at the same time.’

‘You did good, Cathlynn. It took down any potential cheats and legitimate observations they could make.’

‘I didn’t want them card counting.’

‘A fresh deck each time. They must have been thinking of con artists.’

‘We ought to suggest each other splitting the deck and each do a partial shuffle. Haven’t heard that being done lately.’

‘That we ought to practice. Just a little.’

‘But not here. The fact that they want us back tomorrow shows they haven’t caught on. Alfred might note I even play better with real players than their poker machines but we made it look too easy tonight.’

‘We didn’t expect to get this far in one night.’

‘I persuade. Humans or AI. I got them on the other digital foot. They are chasing our winnings, not the other way round. If they can be convinced, I convince. I got out on parole on my first jailed offence, not conning, when young, that’s when I learnt I could con.’

‘And a long career. I’m young in comparison.’

‘But just as bent.’

They both smiled.

‘You banked your money?’

‘Not all of it. We need our stake for tomorrow night.’

‘And on we go until AIs are less naïve.’

‘And then?’

‘Then we find another AI mark. There’s always a sucker.’

end

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