An article in the New York Times has highlighted how poker players are still choosing to use bots in online poker rooms. While the concept of poker playing bots certainly isn’t new, the article highlights how some bots are becoming smarter and adapting to their environments. Interestingly, the article also draws attention to the fact that some less-reputable poker rooms actually “look the other way” when players use bots, as they can cause losses.
Darse Billings, who acts as a consultant to Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars (two online poker rooms keen to clamp down on bot usage), suggests that the “majority of bots are very bad”. Indeed, players may purchase a bot, thinking it will improve their poker gameplay, when in fact it does the opposite. According to the New York Times, poker bots simply aren’t as smart as chess robots, because the latter has complete information about the game. A chess bot can evaluate the board and pieces and make an informed decision. A poker bot, on the other hand, has to deal with unknowns, such as how its competitors play and their cards.
So, if you’re looking to start playing poker, is it worth buying a bot? Well, we offer poker players the same advice we offer casino visitors: Learn the rules. If shortcuts really worked, there would be a lot more people taking them. While we’re not suggesting that all poker bots are doomed to fail, if you really want to be sure you’re making the right decision next time you hold a poker hand, invest in yourself and really learn the rules.
