So, ACR has hired Randy Lew to help with security at the tables on ACR. He is pretty impressive as a player. Do you folks think this means his hire shows they are really taking the bot issue seriously? This is mentioned specifically in the email they sent out.

Originally Posted by CSLysander

So, ACR has hired Randy Lew to help with security at the tables on ACR. He is pretty impressive as a player. Do you folks think this means his hire shows they are really taking the bot issue seriously? This is mentioned specifically in the email they sent out.

Oh very cool, CS! I realize you received this info in an email, but do you have a link to the news release? or is there one available yet?

Originally Posted by Shells

Oh very cool, CS! I realize you received this info in an email, but do you have a link to the news release? or is there one available yet?

Here it is

https://www.americascardroom.eu/poke...ecurity+member

Originally Posted by CSLysander

Here it is

https://www.americascardroom.eu/poker-blog/2020/12/randy-nanonoko-lew-hired-as-security-consultant-and-gameplay-expert/?utm_source=bm23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=LEARN+MORE&utm_content=Randy+Lew+hired+as+Security+Consultant+and+Gameplay+Expert.&utm_campaign=Randy+%22Nanonoko%22+Lew+new+ACR+Security+member

Thanks for that!

I think this is very good news - he is a well known and respected player.

Randy Lew seems to be a really nice guy and a very good poker player... but what the heck does he know about "poker security"?

ACR hiring Randy is not odd at all, since he recently left Poker Stars Online Pro... but to hire him as a security consultant is the odd part about it. I'm sure he'll offer his best advice, but I just don't know what he can offer ACR that an actual security consultant couldn't... seems to me like more PR (public relations) than an actual good solution to anything... and that is no knock on Randy Lew, trust me.

Originally Posted by Alizona

Randy Lew seems to be a really nice guy and a very good poker player... but what the heck does he know about "poker security"?

ACR hiring Randy is not odd at all, since he recently left Poker Stars Online Pro... but to hire him as a security consultant is the odd part about it. I'm sure he'll offer his best advice, but I just don't know what he can offer ACR that an actual security consultant couldn't... seems to me like more PR (public relations) than an actual good solution to anything... and that is no knock on Randy Lew, trust me.

Yeah, I agree. I used to watch his Twitch streams all the time, and he does seem like a nice person in general. I'm not sure if he has a degree in CS, or any security related certs. It would be good if they posted he credentials so that we know why he is qualified to do the job.

He is not in there for computer security. He is, by his actions, considered an expert at playing poker and how others play. This means he should be able to say if there is something odd about the actions of a player and not just a rookie mistake. This can help with collusion or bots. There are far more experts on computer security than there are poker ones. Believe me, I have been around both. There are many who claim to be expert poker players, but their record states exactly how good they are.

Originally Posted by CSLysander

He is not in there for computer security. He is, by his actions, considered an expert at playing poker and how others play. This means he should be able to say if there is something odd about the actions of a player and not just a rookie mistake. This can help with collusion or bots. There are far more experts on computer security than there are poker ones. Believe me, I have been around both. There are many who claim to be expert poker players, but their record states exactly how good they are.

I just read on another forum site that Randy Lew's main "claim to fame" in poker was his ability to play 24 tables of cash games at the same time... and I guess THAT is why ACR must have hired him for "security" reasons... apparently Randy will be able to determine if a multi-tabler is a real human being or a computer program. That would all seem to make some sense of this hire. That forum also said that Randy Lew is apparently living in Australia now and for that reason (Australia also has tried to ban online poker just like America has tried to do to its "free" citizens), the speculation is that Randy won't be playing any poker on ACR.

A bot hired to check that there is no bot activity, that seems fair.

Just kidding!

Originally Posted by Alizona

Randy Lew seems to be a really nice guy and a very good poker player... but what the heck does he know about "poker security"?

ACR hiring Randy is not odd at all, since he recently left Poker Stars Online Pro... but to hire him as a security consultant is the odd part about it. I'm sure he'll offer his best advice, but I just don't know what he can offer ACR that an actual security consultant couldn't... seems to me like more PR (public relations) than an actual good solution to anything... and that is no knock on Randy Lew, trust me.

Well, in reading the article, ACR has placed emphasis on marrying Security and Gamplay together, and while they have experts that handle the security part of the game, many of those people are not necessarily poker players who can pick up on some of the subtleties that Randy can being a poker player. It's a smart hire actually because he'll help make the whole security process more efficient. Sometimes, there may be situations where a "Security Issue" is a false positive, and instead of spending time and resources going down that rabbit hole, they can redeploy to other issues more timely that may otherwise fly under the radar. I think that's where Randy comes in.

Originally Posted by CSLysander

He is not in there for computer security. He is, by his actions, considered an expert at playing poker and how others play. This means he should be able to say if there is something odd about the actions of a player and not just a rookie mistake. This can help with collusion or bots. There are far more experts on computer security than there are poker ones. Believe me, I have been around both. There are many who claim to be expert poker players, but their record states exactly how good they are.

Exactly - I think that you have to marry the two (Security and Gameplay) together in order for the entire player experience to be better. While they have identified and exposed bots, it doesn't mean that the issue has been resolved. If nothing else, it just shows that they are serious about this issue once and for all and ensure that all their customers are experiencing a game where its integrity isn't compromised.

I have been a physical computer tech for many years. I started it as a way to get into a field where I was not going to be shot at as the job description. I am told by other techs that I am better than fair when it comes to the work. I can figure out the majority of issues quicker than the average bear. That said, I came across an issue once that was causing me to get angry. I finally called in help after 2 days of everything not working the way it should. Turns out there was a fun little virus that was bouncing around in spots that was not detectable by normal means. The guy I called was an expert on this and a few other matters. It still took him a day to narrow down the issue. Specialists matter, as I have found out many times. I can build a robot that could remove a bullet, but it would take a doctor or nurse to know how to use the tool correctly.

So ACR is not available for Australian players?

Originally Posted by jackpot789

So ACR is not available for Australian players?

This could be a legal thing, as that government likes having a firm hand. Then again, I am surprised they have not attacked it here in the US

Originally Posted by jackpot789

So ACR is not available for Australian players?

Customers are able to create and play at Americas Cardroom. If you are concern about the legality of poker in your country, we would suggest you to check with your local jurisdiction.

ACR Rep

Such a great person, we missed him in the scene, I liked his commentary tournament, I think he will do great and help ACR, very good initiative

Several talents help in poker security.

Math helps.

Knowledge of poker helps

Knowledge of internet operations helps.

Originally Posted by Alizona

Randy Lew seems to be a really nice guy and a very good poker player... but what the heck does he know about "poker security"?

ACR hiring Randy is not odd at all, since he recently left Poker Stars Online Pro... but to hire him as a security consultant is the odd part about it. I'm sure he'll offer his best advice, but I just don't know what he can offer ACR that an actual security consultant couldn't... seems to me like more PR (public relations) than an actual good solution to anything... and that is no knock on Randy Lew, trust me.

PR is exactly right. That’s all ACR really cares about: public perception. We’re still all waiting for regulated OL poker in the USA, something a million times less shady, we can be sure.

Originally Posted by ekgbeat

Yeah, I agree. I used to watch his Twitch streams all the time, and he does seem like a nice person in general. I'm not sure if he has a degree in CS, or any security related certs. It would be good if they posted he credentials so that we know why he is qualified to do the job.

They have courses where you can earn a degree for 'online poker security'?

Course pre-requisites:
Must be able to play with a +ROI while 16-tabling!
Absolutely must understand AND accept variance for what it truly is. Any talk of rigged nonsense would call for immediate expulsion from all courses!

I hope he can cooperate with the existing stuff there in the security on ACR and catch as many as possible of these blots , that would be for the best of poker and the good of the players and their profits and their bankrolls . Safety comes first . Maybe in the future they will use them also as an embassador , one is not in conflict with the other duty , is it ?? Good luck to him in his new duty and position .

Definitely he's not into security as a technical IT guy. I think they hired him due his crazy poker skills. That guy plays 20 tables at ease so he definitely can spot a Russian bot, which I actually saw few on PokerStars, also got a money back bonus after I played to a cash game few weeks ago with them, but that's a different story. Anyway congrats ACR for their action, would be nice if other poker interfaces will hire people for this kind of job activity as well

Definitely nice to see they are getting quality poker players to help manage the problem. Obviously someone in the room needs to have strong CS background as well, but perhaps listening to players will help them change some other things too.

How do you recognize a bot?

Originally Posted by rictor99

How do you recognize a bot?

https://upswingpoker.com/poker-bots/

https://www.cardschat.com/poker-bots.php

https://www.gamblingsites.com/blog/5-steps-spotting-poker-bot-3379/