iPoker bots - How bad is it really?

Posted by Nik, Subscribe to Rakeback News

The iPoker bots scandal - on many poker forums around the world a highly discussed theme. I've always said that I don't mind about poker bots when I was still playing poker professionally. Poker bots aren't very good and in fact are loosing players most of the time. So I had no problems with bots when I was still playing and believe me, just because everybody is talking about bots now that doesn't mean the 'bot problem' is new. Bots are around for a long time.

I was a 'I don't mind about bots' person for a long time, but is it that easy? Take a look at this graph from Pokertableratings:
http://www.pokertableratings.com/ipoker-player-search/guntas

This player is obviously a bot – no discussion needed. And he is a loosing player. He played nearly 2.000.000 hands and he lost about 4.5k. But you have to realize that this player paid 13k in rake and is probably on a good iPoker VIP deal. Let's assume he gets 45% rakeback. That is about 6k. Surprise – actually he is a 'winning player'.

The problem with bots is simple: they are sucking out the games. Anyone, it doesn't matter if a bot or a real human player, who is loosing less than the rake, has to have poker skills ABOVE AVERAGE. So actually bots are sucking out the games and giving it back in rake (and are 'winning players' after iPoker rakeback). And they can play 24/7 without getting tired or having emotional problems.

Conclusion: Bots are not good for the games.