poldie,
Quite like the original Q3A, the in-game game browser sucks.
I suggest you use Qtracker. It is the best game browser available. It is free to download and use. Here is the link
http://www.qtracker.com/You can set up better filters for bots in qtracker, you can also add custom filters of you own.
Qtracker works with OpenArena, as well as these other great free games: Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, Nexuiz, Alien Arena, World of Padman, Tremulous, Warsow, and Urban Terror (my favorite).
Qtracker also works with over 100 games.
Hope this helps you!
SlippJigg