I'm having trouble seeing how Russell outsmarted Rob based on what they showed on TV. Rob figured out exactly what Russell was going to do if he had the idol and covered both Russell playing it himself or giving it to Parvati. So, he arranged to have 3 votes for Russell and 3 for Parvati. Even if Russell figured out Rob's plan, I don't remember seeing anything that would have told Russell who exactly was going to vote for him and who was going to vote for Parvati. If Tyson was ALREADY going to be voting for Parvati, Russell wouldn't have been changing his vote, and Russell would have been voted out. Frankly, I think he just lucked out.
Unless or until he can win the game, I don't see how Russell can be considered one of the great players (except in his own mind). He may be able to manipulate some people, but in the process he alienates enough people that he's going to have trouble getting the votes in the end.