This would solve the bot problem -- make 'em legal

[stlip]

Designate certain tables that are open to bots. Instead of spending a lot of time programing to avoid detection (or worrying about having accounts seized), developers could simply register their bots honestly and start playing.

At the selected tables all bots could be openly identified in some way. Let the players who think they can handle them have at them. (I think the humans would kick their bot buts, at least for now, but the bots might still do OK if a lot of fish wanted to give it a try, too. Hey, fish already give away their money as it is playing against people far better than them.)

Instead of letting bots be seen as a big potential threat to online poker, make it into a marketing sensation that just helps build even more interest in the sport. Let the world check out the bot standings; the biggest money winners and whether as a group they are even able to turn a profit.