This week, the Republican National Convention concluded from Minneapolis, Minnesota. On Thursday night, Senator John McCain formally accepted his candidacy for President of the United States. One week earlier, Illinois Senator Barack Obama accepted the nomination for the Democrats. Today, a two month-long race for control of the White House begins between the two foes. Recently, Duplicate Poker conducted a survey of 1,639 U.S. poker players and found that those who intended to vote for Obama in November’s general elections outweighed McCain supporters by a 2:1 margin.
The survey, which was revealed in a press release on MarketWatch, found that 1,043 surveyed poker players in the United States would vote for Obama (63.6%), whereas only 596 would vote for McCain (36.4%). Duplicate Poker’s study also revealed that 1,167 “felt that Obama had a stronger ticket than McCain”. Obama’s running mate is Delaware Senator Joe Biden. McCain is running with first-term Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin.
Daniel Flamberg, Chief Marketing Officer for DuplicatePoker.com, commented in a press release distributed by the company on Friday, “Poker players are astute observers who take calculated risks under time pressure. The best poker players size up their opponents quickly and calculate the best way to press their advantage. These results are a good indicator of how Americans are processing and reacting to two weeks of orchestrated political theater.” The company’s survey was held online from Tuesday to Thursday of this week. Poker players who responded represented 32 states and were predominantly male.
The results appear to be in line with political history surrounding the internet gambling issue. A Republican coalition led the charge to pass the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006. Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Republican from Tennessee, successfully attached the UIGEA to the SAFE Port Act, which was passed through the United States Senate by unanimous consent. The passage occurred in the waning hours of the 2006 Congressional session. Republicans Jon Kyl and Bob Goodlatte were also involved in the bill being passed into law. The SAFE Port Act was signed into law on Friday, October 13, 2006.
A Democratic coalition has been largely responsible for introducing legislation to revive the internet gambling industry in the United States. Democratic Congressman Barney Frank, from Massachusetts, has authored the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act, which establishes a framework for legalized internet gambling. Robert Wexler, a Democrat from Florida, introduced the Skill Game Protection Act, which would exempt online poker, bridge, mah jong, chess, and other games of skill from both the UIGEA and Wire Act of 1961. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.) has introduced the Internet Gambling Study Act, which has attracted 73 co-sponsors.
However, recent efforts by Republicans to spur legislation favorable to internet gambling may help sway prospective voters to McCain’s camp. Ron Paul (R-Tex.) co-authored HR 5767 with Frank. The bill would have suspended the regulations of the UIGEA. An amendment was introduced by Congressman Peter King (R-NY) to HR 5767 when the bill was being debated for mark-up in the House Financial Services Committee. King’s amendment would have called for the U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve to work hand in hand with the U.S. Department of Justice to determine what activities are and are not legal under the UIGEA. HR 5767 and its amendment were defeated in Committee over the summer.
Recently, Congressman Pete Sessions (R-Tex.) has introduced HR 6663, which instructs the U.S. Attorney General’s office to prosecute online sports books under the UIGEA. What would happen to online poker is unclear, although the bill specifically takes aim at companies like Bodog, BetUS, and other companies that offer online wagering on sports.
I have been playing poker on line now for a number of years. But the poker site that I play the most the schuffle is not random. There is always two some times three seats at the table that are getting face cards as there hole cards every hand while the rest of the table is getting the small none suited cards. I have brought this the attention of the poker site but they still say that the schuffle is random. The only way to stop this whould be that every three or four hands have every one at the table move to thier left one seat and move the button each hand as it should be. I have won money a few times in thier instant cash games but I have never taken first place. I am sure that the ones that do win those tournaments are the poker sites own people. The reason that I say that is that every one at the table should have the same chance at catching the face cards or high pairs once in awhile but that is not the case it is always the same two or three seats at the table. Is there some way to stop this? Richard L. Hams 239 Westview Dr. Otis Oregon 97368 Email 93 Vett@gorge.net