Hello, poker players!
With Manila going to lockdown soon. Many players will shift online. so let us discussed one topic that most people ask but club owners and poker sites owners are afraid to answer.
The existent of the so-called poker bots!
People have complained about it, make a fuss about it. but it landed on deaf ears.
So how can you play safely?
Defining superusers, syndicates, poker bots, and poker A.I.
Most people would complain about bots, but sometimes they actually mistake bots for different things. so we should deal with defining it.
Superusers
A superuser is a person who has access to the game itself. He can see your cards. what will the turn, flop. and river cards will be even before they are laid down.
They have access to this type of information which gives them an edge.
Syndicates
A syndicate is a group of people who work together against you. We have seen this type of behavior.
Normally, you can observe them by looking at the pattern they play. We probably need to allocate one whole article on our experiences with syndicates. but we reserve that for another time.
Poker A.I.
The difference between an A. I and a bot should be noted. A.I. can think independently. While bots run a program.
Poker Bots – they exist but are beatable.
We have actually downloaded and use the poker bots in some test sites. They do exist! and they worked.
However, understand that bots are base on logic and math. They can only act in a certain way.
But that is also their big limitation.
Example. if the bot receives XX hand in X position. it would raise X amount. It can not deviate from it.
If you know your opponent is a bot. Regardless of whatever your hand is.
The simpler ways to explain this. There are old players who actually do this. AK raise preflop 3 times the big blind. Flop comes out. regardless of what comes out. you bet. turn your bet. the river you bet.
It is the same with a bot(if you know its program). Example. A and a number below 8 offsuit. if button position raises x amount. If reraise is met on X amount. it must fold. Regardless of what you have. it must fold because of the limitation that is set.
But you just want to play?
If you are a recreational player and you just want to play. Then the best advice is not to take the best offer on the market out there.
Like any business, if someone was selling an apple for like a dollar. but it cost him two to have it. you have to simply ask how the business is making money.
Poker sites and apps earn through rake. if the rake is already small. and you still have Rakeback. then you have to start wondering how are they making up the money.
What does it have to do with bots?
There are a lot of bots of programs out there. to detect each one needs money. there have to be tons of money poured into research and development to secure the sites.
Union also has to make money.
Considering that the rake of an online site is at 2%. plus demanding a huge Rakeback. end of the day. then there are those promotions that a poker site must use to attract players. Minus the Rakeback the players are getting. It is looking negative on the accounting board.
A big example is Pokerstars. because the point system is at a maximum of less than 30% of the rake. There is enough income to spare on other stuff.
But they are very very strict on bot detection.
As we reviewed other sites. we also uncovered that it is not about detecting bots. There are certain clubs and unions on apps that have the power to ban bots but refuse to do so.
That is because those bots help keep building the numbers.
This topic alone could be a two-part article on its own. It is best to look into companies that have a solid vision of how they intend to keep moving forward. if all they can offer you is huge Rakeback and no solid plans. it is best to avoid those sites.
Stay safe poker playas!
