For example, when the program holds a strong hand, it always makes a bet instead of occasionally holding back. Good opponents can take advantage of such a pattern. Loki has already faced a variety of opponents on the Internet, and it wins consistently. The problem is that these human players have just pride, rather than money, at stake. In chess and checkers, you can go to a tournament, pay the entry fee, and play to see how good the program is.
Poker is different because it's meaningless without money.
Further improvements may make it worthwhile for Schaeffer to bring Loki to Las Vegas. Many technical problems have yet to be solved. Moreover, the sorts of expenses associated with a trip to Las Vegas aren't normally covered by a research grant. It's not like you're hauling off wheelbarrows of money all the time. It's an accumulation over time.