There is some open-source code in this area, and hopefully there will be more going forward. Here's one example: https://github.com/EricSteinberger/Deep-CFR
b. How much more efficient is the improved search algorithm? the $150 number sounds like a couple of order of magnitudes..
b. It really depends on the game and the situation. It can be several orders of magnitude in six-player poker. In other games, it can be even more.