Listen: The Russian Bot Army That Conquered Online Poker

By Kit Chellel
Illustrations by John Provencher
September 20, 2024

In the world of online poker, few names resonate as powerfully as "Feruell." This Russian professional poker player has carved out a reputation for himself on platforms like GGPoker and Americas Cardroom, often donning a Darth Vader avatar as he navigates the treacherous waters of high-stakes gambling. Feruell is known for his calm demeanor at the virtual table, but he is anything but shy when it comes to voicing his opinions in poker forums. His journey through the online poker landscape is intertwined with a shadowy figure from the past—Vyacheslav Karpov, also known as "Performer."

The Duel of the Titans

In 2013, Feruell found himself embroiled in a heated rivalry with Karpov, who was notorious for his outrageous claims and dubious advice in Russian-language chatrooms. When Feruell accused Karpov of peddling "fairy tales" to young players, Karpov issued a challenge: a duel in Limit Texas Hold ’em, a game that Feruell had mastered. The stakes were set at $200, and the match took place on PokerStars.

What transpired was nothing short of shocking. Feruell, the self-proclaimed "King of Limit," lost $20,000 over the course of the match. Karpov’s play was extraordinary, leading Feruell to suspect that Karpov had employed sophisticated software—poker bots—to gain an unfair advantage. This suspicion marked the beginning of Feruell’s deep dive into the world of poker bots, a realm that had been quietly infiltrating the online poker scene.

The Rise of Poker Bots

The evolution of poker bots has been a long and complex journey. While rudimentary poker-playing software had existed for decades, it was not until the advent of advanced artificial intelligence that these bots began to pose a serious threat to human players. By 2019, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University had demonstrated the capabilities of AI in poker, defeating five professional players in a mini-tournament. Analysts from Morgan Stanley warned that the rise of "superhuman poker bots" was imminent, and the online poker market—valued at around $3 billion—was at risk.

As the poker community grappled with the implications of AI, a new player emerged from the shadows: the Bot Farm Corporation, or BF Corp. Based in Siberia, this organization operated like a well-oiled machine, boasting a board of directors, training programs, and a human resources department. A whistleblower within the community described it as an operation that was "always stronger than a man."

The Omsk Collective

The origins of BF Corp. can be traced back to a group of students in Omsk, a city known for its strong emphasis on mathematics and technology. These students, passionate about poker, began pooling their resources to stake one another in games. They honed their skills through rigorous training, often using dried pasta as chips. As the online poker boom took off, they recognized the potential for profit and began developing sophisticated poker software.

Their journey was not without challenges. The group faced scrutiny from law enforcement, with police once raiding their dormitory under the suspicion of terrorism. However, the students quickly dispelled these fears, showcasing their computer setups and explaining their passion for poker.

As their skills and technology advanced, the Omsk collective merged with another operation, expanding their reach and resources. They attracted investors and professional players, including Petr "Rus" Vlasenko, who helped them refine their mathematical approach to the game.

The AI Revolution

The quest to create an unbeatable poker bot was not new. Researchers had been attempting to crack the code of poker since the 1940s, but the complexity of the game posed significant challenges. Unlike checkers or chess, poker involves multiple players, hidden information, and the need for deception. The number of potential scenarios in a single game of No-Limit Texas Hold ’em is staggering—greater than the number of atoms in the universe.

In 2012, the Omsk group began to make waves in the academic community by entering the Annual Computer Poker Competition. Their bot, Neo, utilized advanced algorithms and game theory to learn from its own mistakes, mimicking human learning processes at an unprecedented scale. Neo’s success in the competition signaled the arrival of a new era in poker AI.

The Dark Side of Innovation

Despite their academic achievements, the Omsk group recognized that the true potential of their technology lay in the realm of online gambling. As poker websites began to implement security measures against bots, BF Corp. adapted by outsourcing their bot operations to partners who could run the software while maintaining a human facade. This strategy allowed them to circumvent detection and continue profiting from their advanced poker technology.

The scale of BF Corp.’s operations was staggering. Internal communications revealed a network of hundreds of users managing bot accounts across various countries, employing tactics to disguise their true locations. The group even classified prominent players like Karpov as "premium users," granting them access to the latest software.

The Ethical Dilemma

As the poker community grappled with the implications of bot usage, a paradox emerged. While players loathed the idea of competing against machines, poker sites benefited from the revenue generated by all accounts, including bots. The rake—an operator’s cut of each pot—ensured that even as players complained about bots, the sites had little incentive to eliminate them entirely.

BF Corp. recognized this opportunity and began to pivot their business model. They created Deeplay, a company that marketed their technology not just for poker but for various gaming and analytical applications. By positioning themselves as a legitimate tech provider, they sought to distance themselves from their botting origins while continuing to profit from their innovations.

The Future of Online Poker

The landscape of online poker is changing rapidly. With the rise of AI and sophisticated bot technology, the game is evolving into a battleground where skill and strategy are increasingly dictated by algorithms. Top players now rely on software to enhance their performance, blurring the lines between human and machine.

As the Omsk group continues to innovate, they are also aware of the challenges facing the industry. The influx of bots has driven away many casual players, leading to a decline in traffic and engagement. The founders of BF Corp. have expressed a desire to create a new model that fosters fair competition, matching players of similar skill levels to revitalize the game.

In this complex and ever-evolving landscape, the question remains: can the very individuals who have been vilified as the architects of poker’s decline become its saviors? The future of online poker hangs in the balance, as players, operators, and AI developers navigate the murky waters of ethics, competition, and innovation.