The Rise of the Russian Bot Army in Online Poker

In the world of online poker, where skill meets chance, a new player has emerged—one that doesn’t have a heartbeat or a poker face. This player is a sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) bot, and its rise has been nothing short of revolutionary. The story of how a group of Russian programmers created a bot army that has outsmarted some of the brightest minds in poker is both fascinating and alarming.

The Players: Feruell and Karpov

At the center of this narrative are two prominent figures in the online poker community: Feruell and Vyacheslav Karpov, known as Performer. Feruell, a professional poker player from Russia, has made a name for himself on platforms like GGPoker and Americas Cardroom, often using a Darth Vader avatar. He is known for his analytical approach to the game, contrasting sharply with Karpov, who gained notoriety for his flamboyant tales in Russian chatrooms, boasting about his exploits and charging for his dubious advice.

Their rivalry escalated when Feruell publicly challenged Karpov’s poker skills, leading to a high-stakes match on PokerStars. To Feruell’s shock, he lost $20,000 to Karpov, who displayed an extraordinary level of play. This defeat raised suspicions for Feruell, who began to suspect that Karpov was using poker bots—software designed to play poker at a high level.

The Evolution of Poker Bots

The concept of poker bots is not new; they have existed for decades. However, their effectiveness has significantly improved over time. As researchers explored the limits of artificial intelligence, the poker landscape began to change. By 2019, analysts warned that AI posed an existential threat to the online poker market, which was valued at around $3 billion. The emergence of “superhuman poker bots” was no longer a question of if, but when.

The Russian bot army, known as Bot Farm Corporation (BF Corp), emerged from this backdrop. Allegedly based in Siberia, BF Corp was said to operate like a well-oiled machine, with a board of directors, training programs, and a corporate structure. A whistleblower described it as an organization that could not be stopped, claiming that “a machine is always stronger than a man.”

The Rise of BF Corp

The founders of BF Corp were students from Omsk, a city known for its strong emphasis on mathematics and technology. They began by pooling resources to stake each other in poker games, using dried pasta as chips for practice. Their goal was to exploit the burgeoning online poker boom that had been ignited by Chris Moneymaker’s 2003 World Series of Poker victory.

As they honed their skills, they developed advanced poker software capable of analyzing vast amounts of data and making optimal decisions. Their bot, Neo, competed against other leading poker bots in competitions, even defeating a renowned bot from the University of Alberta. This victory marked a turning point, as the Omsk group realized they could monetize their technology.

The Business Model: Selling Shovels

Rather than directly competing against human players, BF Corp shifted its strategy to sell access to their poker bot software. This approach allowed them to avoid detection by poker sites while maximizing profits. They marketed their bots under various names, including NZT Poker, which claimed to help users make money effortlessly.

The group’s success was staggering, reportedly generating over $10 million annually. They expanded their operations, recruiting marketing professionals and opening offices in major Russian cities. Their bots not only provided liquidity to poker tables but also helped keep games running around the clock, a critical factor for online poker sites.

The Ethical Dilemma

Despite the success of BF Corp, the ethical implications of their operations are murky. While poker sites publicly denounce the use of bots, they also benefit from the revenue generated by all accounts, including those operated by bots. The poker community is divided; some players view bots as a necessary evil that keeps games active, while others see them as a blight on the integrity of the game.

Alex Scott, president of the World Poker Tour, acknowledged the complexity of the issue. While customers despise bots, they generate revenue through the rake, the percentage taken from each pot. This paradox raises questions about the future of online poker and the role of technology in shaping its landscape.

The Future of Online Poker

As the poker landscape continues to evolve, the question remains: can the game survive the rise of AI? The founders of BF Corp have expressed a desire to change the narrative, proposing a new model that matches players of similar skill levels, akin to “poker Tinder.” This approach aims to create a fairer environment for amateur players, who often feel overwhelmed by the presence of skilled professionals and bots.

The poker community is at a crossroads. With traffic down from its peak and the threat of AI looming large, the industry must adapt to survive. The story of the Russian bot army serves as a cautionary tale about the intersection of technology and gambling, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

In the end, whether bots are seen as a threat or a necessary component of the online poker ecosystem, one thing is clear: the game will never be the same again.