Poker Players Back Obama

July 8 - American poker players have proven in the past that they have they have a lot of clout in numbers. One of the best examples of this has been the Poker Players Alliance, a grassroots movement that today boasts over one million members and continues to campaign for a regulated online poker industry and the recognition of poker as a game of skill.

As the United State faces elections next year, poker players are being encouraged to give their votes to the candidate who best represents their interests and the man for the job, according to the Poker Players Alliance, is Barack Obama.

Obama, a skilled Texas Hold 'em and Seven Card Stud player, has used his poker skills in the past to benefit his meteoric rise to popularity in the United States. As Illinois state senator, he developed a policy where he rarely bluffed and always played to win. His tactics did not go unnoticed and even caused a fellow senator at the time, Terry Link to exclaim: "If he runs his presidency the way he plays poker, I'll sleep good at night."

Obama, the Democratic candidate, has repeatedly said that he would rather regulate the online poker and casino industry than ban it outright. This statement in itself has brought many poker followers into this fold, even those who formerly backed the Republicans, who feel that they cannot lend support to Obama's rival, John McCain, who supports the current UIGEA.

Doyle Brunson, one of the most successful poker players of all times with two world champion titles behind him, said: "Poker players have to support Obama. God help the internet gambling business if McCain does happen to win."

Ironically, McCain himself is an avid craps player who spends significant lengths of time at the craps table - sometimes as much as 14 hours at a time.