A gaming machine, system, and method for conducting a wagering game utilizing artificially intelligent players. A game is initiated by accepting a wager from a bettor at a gaming machine, displaying a plurality of artificially intelligent player profiles as potential players of a game at the gaming machine, and designating a matchup of at least two of the players for playing the game at the gaming machine. The bettor designates a selected player from the at least two players playing the game. The game is presented at the gaming machine. The RNG is utilized just for randomizing game pieces for playing the game. The artificially intelligent players determine the game play decisions. The game outcome between the artificially intelligent players is determined and wagers are paid out or collected according to the game outcome.