In a Congress preoccupied by the economy, the Poker Players Allaince knew it would take some populist bluffing to repeal a law effectively outlawing poker Web sites. The group, whose chairman is former New York Republican Sen. Alfonse D’Amato, rallied the champions among its one million members to win a spot on the agendas of lawmakers guiding financial-services legislation.

Professional poker players Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, Howard Lederer and Greg “Fossilman” Raymer flew to Washington and played Texas hold ‘em in the Capitol Hill Club with Rep. Joe Barton (R., Texas), a skilled player and ranking member of the Energy and Commerce committee.

The group bested Mr. Barton, then won him over. “The exposure and talking to these people gives you a greater appreciation of their professionalism,” Mr. Barton said.

In December, Mr. Barton and 15 fellow legislators sent a letter to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson questioning proposed stiffer rules over online gambling.

Poker Players has embarked on a voter-registration drive and formed a political action committee. Its members sent 25,000 emails to lawmakers last month alone, urging them to support bills favoring poker, the group says.

This month, the group will keep up the pressure when members play alongside 20 lawmakers in a charity poker tournament in Washington.

“These are attorneys, mathematicians…expressing their love of the game and the public policy reasons for treating poker differently than other forms of gambling,” said John Pappas, executive director of the group.

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Author Contact Info: Elizabeth Williamson, The Wall Street Journal