By Zach Purgason

09/05/2008

With the subject of online poker and gambling a more highly debated issue than in past elections, DuplicatePoker.com has set out to take the pulse of those whose lifestyles would be most affected by any change in the current legislation. 

DuplicatePoker.com, home to thousands of online members in the U.S. who compete in both free poker and real-money poker games, surveyed 1,639 U.S. poker players between September 2^nd and 4^th gauging their political inclinations in the upcoming election.  The result was 1,043 to 596 in favor of Illinois Senator, Barack Obama nearly a 2:1 ratio and an overwhelming indication of support for the democrats in this demographic.

The results of other questions on the survey indicated similar sentiments as well. An even greater number of players (1,167) believed that the Obama/Biden ticket was stronger than McCain/Palin (499).  In addition, 1,117 players attested that Obama would defeat McCain come the November 4^th election compared to the 538 who believed McCain would emerge victorious.

The survey also illustrated sentiments about which issues mattered most to poker players. 915 players versus 737 felt that the issue of race would play no part in the election decision.  Additionally, the issues that mattered most to players were the health of the U.S. economy (602), the vision for America (379), and the war in Iraq (348).

Daniel Flamberg, Chief Marketing Officer for DuplicatePoker.com, issued a statement to The Wall Street Journal offering some of his own insight into the meaning behind the results and the sentiments expressed.

“Poker players are astute observers who take calculated risks under time pressure,” he stated. “These results are a good indicator of how Americans are processing and reacting to two weeks of orchestrated political theatre.”

Flamberg added to his analysis stating, “These results are interesting for three reasons. First, they are a gut check for the new presidential slates as we begin the home stretch run. Next, the middle class male voters are going to play an important role in every swing state. And, finally, poker players are good at quickly zeroing-in on a winner.”

32 states were represented in the survey with males between the ages of 18 and 54 accounting for 87% of the participants.  The average income of those surveyed was $77,000 with the majority of the respondents claiming to have at least an undergraduate college degree.  For a full rundown of the questions and results, interested parties can contact Duplicate Poker’s support center, and the staff will release the information upon request.