By now, you’ve probably come across Kit Chellel’s insightful piece on Bloomberg titled “The Russian Bot Army That Conquered Online Poker” and Jonathan Raab’s thorough investigation, “A Further Investigation into the Existence of the BotFarm Corporation,” published at PokerPro. If you haven’t taken the time to read these articles, I encourage you to do so—grab a coffee, settle in, and prepare for some eye-opening revelations.
- Read “The Russian Bot Army That Conquered Online Poker” at Bloomberg.
- Read “A Further Investigation into the Existence of the Botfarm Corporation at PokerPro.
Need for Transparency in Poker
This discussion isn’t about assigning blame or praising those who have played it safe during Raab’s extensive investigation over the past six months. Instead, I want to emphasize one crucial aspect that we all need to rally behind: **transparency**. Your involvement in this is vital.
We’re witnessing a troubling trend where gimmicks are introduced to create guarantees in live poker tournaments. I have no issue with innovative events as long as all aspects—like flip flights, backdoor rakes, and prize pool inclusions—are clearly communicated before players enter. This transparency empowers players to make informed choices about their participation. If something doesn’t sit right with the poker community, competition should naturally address it, although regulations can sometimes complicate matters.
I commend social media figures like Asif “The Poker Tourist” Warris, Allen Kessler, and The Chip Race Co-Hosts David Lappin and Dara O’Kearney for their unwavering commitment to this cause. My role is equally important; I focus on educating operators about what truly benefits players. Often, my influence is felt behind the scenes, where subtle conversations can lead to significant changes.
Having started in this industry as a volunteer many years ago, I was deeply affected when Raab began revealing the unsettling truths about online poker sites that are now coming to light. While online poker has its challenges, I still enjoy it as a hobby and appreciate the opportunity to be marginally profitable. What matters most to me is that I have a fair game; poker is my entertainment and passion.
I feel secure while playing but worry about a future where bots could become undetectable. After discussions with partypoker’s security team over the years, I’ve been impressed by their dedication to fair play and their independence from operational pressures. Most established online poker rooms recognize the importance of maintaining integrity.
Impact of Bots in Poker Game
When I learned about a site not only grappling with bot issues but also using its own bots to manipulate liquidity without informing players, it was shocking. This revelation led me to make significant sacrifices in my professional life, including stepping away from partnerships with live operators that promote such practices as reputable. My commitment stems from my love for poker and the community that surrounds it.
Moreover, this situation has strained personal relationships for me—someone I trusted has chosen not to heed my advice during this critical time. While I still respect them greatly, I hope they can find a new direction that benefits both their growth and that of the poker community.
This isn’t about vilifying anyone; rather, it’s an invitation for all involved to embrace transparency. Would I personally play at a site like Jack Poker if I knew there were bots? Probably not. However, if they were upfront about it, I could inform players that while winning might be unlikely, they could still learn from the experience. I play Monopoly against bots and backgammon against bots, so maybe some people would enjoy this experience. Who am I to judge as long as there is transparency?
Standing Up for Fair Play
My dear and respected friend Jonathan Raab takes a stronger approach, calling for the community to disallow this even if disclosed, as he sees it harmful to the game in either scenario. I see his points, but I feel that, at the end of the day, AI is real, and we need to be realistic that soon, we won’t be able to tell the difference between an AI player and a human player.
“The poker community has an opportunity to take action, to demand greater transparency,” Raab has shared, echoing this author’s sentiments. “Are you with me, or are you OK with sites putting bots into their own games?”
We followed up with Raab, and I understand exactly what he means even though I will fight for transparency while he will continue to fight one step beyond against bots in general, even if transparent. That being said, even if disclosed to me, then, this form of poker becomes a casino game with an RTP and should be thought of as such. There might be some losing players or casino enthusiasts who will prefer this but we shouldn’t confuse this with legitimate poker with humans.
“Poker is fundamentally a mind game challenge, other games are far more entertaining,” Raab explained. “If people are so desperate to play against bots, wouldn’t they be better off playing a fundamentally more entertaining game, such as Monopoly. It seems the only people who really want to see bot games are operators. There’s no long-term value in playing poker as a slot machine.”
A Call to Action for the Community
To those remaining silent: your voices matter too. If we allow every newcomer to launch rooms and employ bots without player awareness, we risk transforming online poker into a mere RTP game akin to video poker.
Regardless of our past interactions—whether friendly or contentious—my door remains open. While I generally get along with most people, I’ve had my share of disagreements. Let’s set those aside for the greater good of improving our industry. Although I prefer not to be used as a prop in these discussions, I’m willing to share my experiences—positive or negative—to advocate for improvements in our landscape.
It’s disheartening when private clubs with long-standing security measures seem safer than many online poker rooms operating under questionable licenses. Sometimes that is even the best option due to regulations and safety, even if it isn’t something I will promote publicly.
Regulation has often neglected to address fundamental issues like fair play. Some licenses are more credible than others, and mistakes can happen when promoting without full knowledge of the facts—I’ve been there myself and have adjusted my stance upon receiving new information.
In this evolving landscape, it’s crucial that major players take proactive measures to assure our community they are equipped to handle emerging technologies responsibly—and not exploit these technologies without transparency.
What we can do as poker players is speak out when something is fishy. We need to be our own police at times. Social media is powerful, and poker media has a responsibility to help players have a voice. So, feel free to always reach out to me personally. It is great when the community rallies around one scammer or if a promotion isn’t to their liking, but speak out and have your voices heard. I am always happy to share content, whether you wanted to publish on PokerPro or another respected outlet.
Let’s strive for better! **Transparency** must be our mantra moving forward. Regardless of our past interactions or relationships, this issue transcends personal feelings. If you believe I can assist in making a difference, please reach out at [email protected].
