Since the inception of the game, poker has often been invoked as a metaphor for other parts of life. Similarities have been drawn between poker and business, poker and relationships and, most recently, poker and politics. The latest article to draw comparisons between government and gaming was recently published as the cover story of the National Journal. The feature piece examines President Barack Obama’s tenure in office and draws comparisons between his political decisions and his poker game.
National Journal is a 40-year old weekly publication that covers the U.S. national political scene and emerging trends in policy. The magazine is primarily read by the Washington political sect who, thanks to author Will Englund, now have some new insight on how President Obama’s style of poker play may be influencing his policy decisions.
Englund’s feature-length piece begins with his view on how poker imitates life. In his words, “If there is a single game that comes closest to recapitulating modern existence – that both mimics and informs the logic of a cluttered, challenging, bewilderingly complicated, less-than-all-knowing, partially comprehensible human society – it is poker.” As Englund notes, Obama is not just a metaphorical poker player, he is also an avid fan. Fellow politicians and card sharks have referred to his playing style as cautious, patient and, oddly enough, conservative. In other words, our President is a bit of a nit.
The article offers insight from both poker author James McManus, whose books include “Positively Fifth Street” and the recently released “Cowboys Full: The Story of Poker,” as well as Harvard Law School Professor Charles Nesson. Nesson is also the founder of the Global Poker Strategic Thinking Society, a Harvard student group designed to promote how poker’s strategic thinking that may be applicable to other avenues of life.
In the National Journal piece, both Nesson and McManus described Obama’s style of play as traditional and Englund cites the game of Stud, in which players have ostensibly more control over each street of play, as the type of game in which the President would excel. His work on public health insurance is used as an example of President Obama’s conservative and cautious style as well as his ability to keep his holdings close to his chest and not let the opposition know exactly what he is planning.
The analysis of Obama as a poker player also includes a discussion of botched bets and misplayed hands and offers some predictions about the type of strategic decision-making the President has in store for the future: “Look for Obama to stick with Stud, where memory and insight and experience and calculation rule the table.”
On the whole, the article praises the game of poker as a way to sharpen critical thinking skills. Nesson speaks to the game’s practical application in politics, business, and day-to-day interactions. The piece also traces the long and storied presence of poker in American politics. Former President Richard Nixon was known to have funded his early political campaigns with poker winnings and several game theorists have served as political consultants over the course of U.S. history. More recently Obama and several other politicians have openly admitted their fondness for the game. Another example of a politician and poker enthusiast is former Senator Alfonse D’Amato, who now serves as the Chairman of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA).
The article is currently on the Journal’s official website, but it is only available to subscribers of the magazine.
