Poker “bots” are becoming more and more reality than poker forum lore. Most online players have heard of them and even discussed them in passing. But now they are becoming more of a reality at various online poker sites and pose a potential threat to the integrity of the game if they are not stopped soon.

So, just what is a “bot?”

A bot is a poker software program developed to play automatically based on a set of user based rules. In other words it can plug right into your host software of choice and Raise, Call, Fold, and Re-Raise automatically without human interference. Most of us online poker players have had some experience with poker simulators such as Poker Academy Pro or Win Texas Hold’em each of which has artificial intelligence built in to provide realistic tournament or cash game play. However, these new fangled home grown “bots” have an entirely different purpose. Unlike the poker simulators, which are intended to improve your game, bot’s are created to play the game for you instead which creates some serious ethical issues as well as stirs up the pot when it comes to online cheating.

The fact of the matter is that a poker software application removes a several variables from the human element.

• A bot NEVER gets tired and therefore is not subject to making mistakes from fatigue as is a human.
• A bot has the ability to instantly recall exactly what took place with every hand at the table. Humans have this ability too but we also have the ability to forget which in-and-of-itself makes us vulnerable and adds an intangible to our play.
• A bot can process larger amounts of information and compile hours of play flawlessly unlike the human mind which is subject to error and fatigue.
• A bot can learn a player’s style of play and consistently make optimal adjustments with minimal error.
• A bot does not have the element of fear and will make the optimal play no matter the scenario it faces.
• A bot program cannot be intimidated by table talk or large stacks.

Each of these factors gives the bot a major advantage over human players in the long run. The fact of the matter is that the memory of a human being and our ability to process information are indeed variables that are unique to each and every player. Some players are faster than others in processing information. Some players can recall more information than others over the same period of time. Now consider playing against an opponent that can and does remember everything that took place in every hand and NEVER forgets and you are likely to find yourself at a serious disadvantage. Some would suggest you are at no more of a disadvantage than playing against a very skilled player. Again, even very skilled players have a limited capacity to process information and store that information over long periods of time. A software application does not.

So who created all of these bots?

Well, the Vex bot was created by the University of Alberta’s Computer Poker Research Group as part of its project on Artificial Intelligence. The Vex bot is designed to learn as it plays against its opponent and can beat the average poker player consistently in a heads up scenario. The Vex bot is designed to play at the Master level of play. As of now it is not designed to play in a Multi-Player scenario but the developers at U of A are working on this facet of the Vex bot as we speak.

Unfortunately, some believe that the Vex bot model is being used by bad guy developers to spawn prototype bots that are capable of playing and winning ring games on various poker sites. There is little doubt that this kind of behavior by the rogue developers is now part of the online poker world. Just how successful will they be? Well that is a matter of opinion. Some believe it is just a matter of time before someone creates the ideal bot that is undetectable by network sniffers and is capable of raping unsuspecting players. Others believe the bot technology will never be able to avoid the scrutiny of the network poker room security techies. Either way it will be very interesting to see just how far the bad guys go with this. A scandal like this could put a site out of business if not detected early enough.

So, think about it real seriously the next time you see a player in your online ring game on what looks like a ridiculous rush.

Is he real or is he a bot?

“Danger Will Robinson Danger!”