Poker bots – software programs that play poker without human intervention – have advanced remarkably, leveraging everything from simple scripts to cutting-edge artificial intelligence. Enthusiasts who use such bots often turn to dedicated servers to run them reliably and covertly. A robust server setup (for example, a dedicated server with virtualization support) allows you to operate multiple poker bots on separate virtual machines, maximizing performance and anonymity. In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore how to set up poker bots on servers, review popular bot software (from classics like Shanky to modern AI-powered bots), and discuss crucial strategies to avoid detection and account bans.
Servers in a professional data center provide the stable infrastructure needed for running poker bots 24/7.
Running a poker bot on a home PC can be limiting – you might need the machine for other tasks, and outages or reboots can interrupt the bot. By contrast, dedicated servers offer 24/7 uptime, high-speed internet connectivity, and robust hardware that can handle multiple instances of poker software continuously. This means your bot can grind online games around the clock without downtime, potentially increasing profits (assuming it’s a winning bot). Moreover, a powerful server can host multiple bots concurrently by utilizing virtualization, essentially consolidating several “machines” into a single physical server. This consolidation is cost-effective and easier to manage than running many separate PCs, as you can allocate CPU, memory, and storage resources to each bot as needed. Another advantage is anonymity and isolation: when you run bots on a remote server, it decouples them from your device and internet connection, reducing the risk of a poker site linking the bot activity back to your home IP or hardware.
Importantly, Bacloud (as a hosting provider) can deliver the entire infrastructure for a poker bot operation. This includes providing a dedicated server with Proxmox virtualization already installed or offering ready-to-go Windows virtual machines for your bot software. In either case, you get a clean, controlled environment for botting. Using a server in a data center can also allow you to choose geographic proximity to specific poker servers (reducing latency), and obtain additional IP addresses if needed for multiple bots. In short, a dedicated server gives you the performance and flexibility to run one or dozens of poker bots in parallel safely.
To fully utilize a powerful server, virtualization is key. Proxmox Virtual Environment (VE) is a popular open-source platform for creating and managing virtual machines on a dedicated server. Essentially, Proxmox enables you to run multiple operating systems (Windows or Linux) simultaneously on a single physical host. For poker botting, this means you can set up a separate virtual machine (VM) for each bot or each poker site. For example, you might have one virtual machine (VM) running a bot on PokerStars and another VM running a different bot on an Asian poker app, all on the same server but completely isolated from each other. Proxmox’s web-based interface makes it easy to spin up new virtual machines (VMs), allocate resources (CPU, RAM, disk) to them, and manage snapshots or backups as needed.
Each VM functions like an independent computer, which is invaluable for security and stealth. By running bots on separate virtual machines (VMs), you ensure that they don’t interfere with each other and that each can have its unique system environment and IP address. Many advanced bots use multiple IP addresses or VPN setups so that each VM appears to be in a different location, preventing poker sites from detecting that several accounts originate from the same place. Bacloud’s servers support this: you can request multiple public IPs and assign one to each VM, giving each bot a distinct online identity. Keep in mind that some poker rooms scrutinize IPs and can flag data-center IP ranges, so you might opt for residential proxies or other networking tricks if needed (though that’s beyond the scope of this guide). The bottom line is that virtualization grants you flexibility: you can easily scale up by adding more virtual machines (VMs) as you add more bots, without purchasing new hardware.
Advanced stealth configurations: Virtual machines also enable creative setups to hide bot activity. One proven method is the “dual-machine” configuration: run the poker client (the actual poker room software) on one virtual machine (VM) and run the bot program on another VM (or on the host). The bot then reads the screen and remotely controls the client. This way, the poker client’s VM has no bot software installed – it’s just a regular poker session from the site’s perspective. The OpenHoldem botting framework, for instance, supports this dual-system approach: the poker client resides on “System A” and the bot on “System B,” which can be two virtual machines (VMs) on the same server. The bot connects to the poker table via an intermediary tool (like a virtual screen scraper), so to the poker site it looks like a human player on System A, while the actual decision-making bot is hidden on System B. Setting up such a configuration with Proxmox is straightforward – you’d create two VMs and network them internally. This approach dramatically reduces the risk of the poker software detecting a bot process or unauthorized program running alongside it.
The world of poker bots offers a range of software solutions, from long-running commercial programs to newer AI-driven applications. Here we highlight a few notable poker bots and platforms:
Shanky Holdem Bot (by Shanky Technologies): One of the oldest and most reputable commercial poker bots, active since 2007. Shanky’s Holdem Bot is an autoplay Texas Hold’em bot that comes with pre-configured profiles (strategies) and allows full customization of playing logic. It’s very user-friendly – essentially, you launch the poker client, sit at a table, and start the bot, which will then play hands for you. Over the years, it has been continuously updated; as of 2025, it’s on version 12 with support for all major game formats (cash games, tournaments, sit-and-gos) and multi-tabling up to 6 tables at once. The bot can be customized via editable profiles or logic scripts, allowing more advanced users to adjust strategies. Thanks to over a decade of development, Shanky’s bot is quite polished and remains one of the go-to options for semi-professional bot users.
Warbot Poker Bot: Warbot is an advanced hold’em bot that is highly customizable and programmable. It evolved from the open-source OpenHoldem engine, but comes as a polished package with a user-friendly interface. Warbot’s standout feature is its use of screen scraping to read game state and external profiles (formulas/algorithms) for decision-making. In practice, Warbot can automatically detect when a poker table window opens, attach itself, and start playing according to a loaded profile, handling everything from betting actions to clicking “Sit in” and closing finished tables. It even lets you set custom, random delays before actions to mimic human timing and avoid appearing robotic. Warbot supports many principal poker rooms and can run multiple instances for multi-tabling. Essentially, it provides a framework where you can plug in different strategy profiles (some come pre-made, and communities share or sell profiles). Note that Warbot is a paid software (it’s not free despite its open-source roots) – users often pay for the software and possibly for high-quality profiles. Its flexibility and power make it attractive, but it may require more tinkering to get the best results (or purchasing strong profiles).
Hydra Poker Bot: Hydra is a newer entrant marketed as an “AI Poker Bot.” It’s an advanced botting system that not only plays hands but also utilizes online poker tools to gain an edge. Notably, Hydra can integrate with PokerTracker (a database software for tracking hand histories and player stats) – the bot can read opponents’ statistics from a PokerTracker database and incorporate that info into its decisions. This means Hydra is aware of opponent tendencies (tight, loose, aggressive, etc.) if you have the data, much like a human using a heads-up display (HUD). By utilizing these statistics, Hydra’s play can become more adaptive and sophisticated, adjusting its strategy according to each opponent. Like Warbot, Hydra uses screen reading and presumably simulates clicks to play. It’s reported to have a range of profile packages (with names like “Kraken” or “Medusa” for specific game types) sold by the developers. Hydra emphasizes being “really advanced” and provides guides for newcomers to start crushing online poker. However, it has caught the attention of poker sites; for example, BetOnline (a poker room) explicitly listed “Hydra AI Poker Bot” as prohibited software.
Poker Bot AI+: This is a comprehensive AI-powered poker bot service, rather than a standalone program. Poker Bot AI+ offers a suite of tools, including fully automated poker bots and an AI advisor called “PokerX”. What sets it apart is its heavy use of artificial intelligence (neural networks) trained on billions of poker hands. The system supports many game variants (No-Limit Hold’em, PLO, OFC, etc.). It is designed to play on various poker apps (such as X-Poker and PokerBros), even emulating a smartphone environment to blend in seamlessly. For security, Poker Bot AI+ claims to modify or encrypt its game traffic and simulate human-like behavior to avoid detection. Essentially, it’s like an AI poker “farm” solution – they advertise things like Android-based bot farms and even services to manage a poker club’s ecology with bots. This is a very premium solution (likely with high costs and custom setups per client), aimed at those who want state-of-the-art AI. It demonstrates how far botting has progressed: from simple rule-based scripts to neural networks that learn optimal play from vast datasets. Poker Bot AI+ and similar services blur the line between human and AI play by making the bots as stealthy and “smart” as possible.
Academic AI bots: It’s worth noting the influence of academic research on poker AI. In 2017, an AI program called Libratus beat four top professional players in heads-up no-limit Texas Hold’em over 120,000 hands, a landmark victory that stunned the poker world. Libratus’s win (and the $1.7 million collective chip score it achieved) demonstrated that machines can outperform even elite humans in poker’s most complex forms. Two years later, in 2019, Facebook and CMU’s Pluribus AI achieved another milestone by defeating top pros in 6-player no-limit Hold’em, the first time an AI conquered a multiplayer poker game. These superhuman AIs don’t play on commercial sites, but their techniques (game-theory optimization, reinforcement learning, neural networks) have trickled down into the botting community. Today’s “poker bot AI” offerings draw inspiration from these breakthroughs – for instance, using neural nets to approximate Game Theory Optimal (GTO) strategy or to adjust to opponents. In short, if academia has shown that an AI can beat anyone in poker, it’s no surprise that commercial bot makers are racing to build AI-driven poker bots for the mass market.
Using poker bots is against the terms of service of virtually every online poker site. Operators actively invest in detection methods to catch and ban bots, since bots threaten the integrity of the game. Therefore, if you choose to run poker bots, you must take stealth and anti-detection measures seriously. Here are key strategies and considerations for avoiding detection:
Isolate and disguise the bot: As discussed, virtualization helps isolate your bot software from the poker client. Always run the bot on a separate OS instance (or at least an individual user account) from where the poker client runs. The bot should interact with the poker software in a manner that is as human-like as possible. That means no direct memory reading or injection into the poker client (which sites can detect); instead, use screen scraping and simulated input (mouse clicks and keystrokes). Most modern bots, such as Warbot and Shanky, already operate in this manner – they read the screen visually and press the same buttons a human would. For example, a good bot will move the mouse cursor to click the “Raise” button, rather than sending a hidden software command. This enables the bot’s actions to mimic those of a human, so the poker server only sees regular input events. Additionally, enable features like random action delays and randomized bet timings if your bot supports them (Warbot’s randomizable delays are a good example). Human players don’t click at the exact millisecond every time – slight randomness in reaction time is essential to avoid timing-based bot tells.
Use separate VMs/IPs for each bot account: Never run multiple bot accounts on the same poker site from the same IP address or device, as that’s a huge red flag. Poker rooms often track IP addresses and device fingerprints; if they detect two accounts consistently playing from the same machine or IP address, they will investigate. If they detect more than one account on the same IP, the likelihood of a ban increases. With dedicated servers, plan to assign unique external IP addresses to each VM or bot (or use VPN tunnels or proxies for each) so that each bot appears to come from a different location, or at least a different machine. Bacloud’s infrastructure can accommodate this by providing additional IP addresses for your server, which you can attach to other virtual machines (VMs). Likewise, segregate the bots’ operating environments: each VM should have a distinct OS installation, MAC address, etc., to avoid any cross-linking via device fingerprinting. Some advanced bot suites even run on Android emulators to mimic mobile devices (as Poker Bot AI+ does), taking advantage of the generally weaker security on mobile poker apps.
Avoid obvious patterns: Configure your bots to avoid non-human play patterns. For example, no human can play flawlessly 24 hours a day without breaks. If you let a bot run nonstop or play 1,000 hands with zero pauses, it might draw suspicion. It’s wise to schedule breaks for your bots or limit their daily playtime per account. Also, consider having them occasionally miss a session or have slightly losing sessions to appear more human. Some bot operators intentionally throttle their bots’ performance – for instance, not maximizing winnings in every spot – to stay under the radar. While it’s hard to make a bot “play worse intentionally,” the idea is to avoid an unrealistic win-rate or overly mechanical play that stands out in hand history reviews.
Keep software up to date: Bot developers frequently update their software to stay compatible with poker client updates and to improve stealth. Always use the latest version of your bot program. For example, Shanky’s team provides ongoing updates to ensure the bot works with the current poker room software and avoids new detection mechanisms. Similarly, maintain your system VMs – ensure that Windows or the OS is updated and not running unusual processes. Some poker sites have started using client-side tools that scan for known bot program signatures or debuggers. Staying updated and using any stealth plugins (if provided by your bot vendor) can help. There are also third-party “hiding” tools that claim to mask your bot process or change its window titles to something innocuous. Use these with caution, but they can add another layer of obfuscation.
Despite all precautions, please be aware of the risk: if your bot is caught, poker sites will not be lenient. They will ban your account and may confiscate any funds or winnings associated with it. Many major poker sites explicitly state that using a bot means forfeiting your balance. There have been numerous cases of sites seizing money from bot accounts – for instance, 888poker reported confiscating nearly $290,000 from bot users in 2022, and PartyPoker seized over $700,000 from bots in 2019 (redistributing that money to legitimate players). In the worst case, years of winnings could be frozen overnight if your operation is uncovered. Some sites will even ban you personally from all their platforms once a bot is linked to your account, making it difficult to play even legitimately. Thus, the stakes are high, and a “successful” botting operation remains undetected as much as one that earns money.
Operating poker bots on dedicated servers can provide a significant edge in terms of operational stability and scalability – you get a private, always-on playground to deploy your army of poker bots. Bacloud’s dedicated servers with Proxmox virtualization are an excellent example of an infrastructure solution that allows you to split a powerful machine into multiple isolated VMs, ready for bot action. With the proper setup, you could run dozens of instances, each with its poker client and bot, all under one roof but cloaked from prying eyes.
That said, running poker bots is a cat-and-mouse game with the poker operators. Today’s bots are more sophisticated than ever, sometimes employing AI and real-time opponent modeling to beat the games. Yet, poker sites are equally invested in bot detection technology and policy enforcement. This guide emphasizes balanced, professional advice: if you choose to venture into botting, do so with caution. Implement every possible stealth technique – including separate virtual machines, unique IP addresses, human-like behaviors, and up-to-date bot software – to protect your accounts. Always be prepared for the possibility of a ban, and never risk more money than you’re willing to lose if the worst happens.
In summary, dedicated servers enable the ultimate poker botting setup by providing the necessary horsepower and isolation for multiple bots, and Bacloud can offer a turnkey environment for this purpose. By choosing solid infrastructure and following best practices to avoid detection, you give yourself the best shot at running poker bots effectively. Just remember that the poker rooms are on guard 24/7 – much like your bots – and the only truly “safe” bot is one that poker sites never realize exists. Play (or bot) wisely, and good luck at the tables (virtual or otherwise)!