I saw this thread on google so I created an account to update it.
(1) The huge problem with Duplicate Poker was that there was collusion. Should be impossible with SkillBet.
(2) Your right, in Duplicate you hand to wait longer than conventional poker. SkillBet works like Rush Poker or Zoom -- you almost never wait (and certainly less than conventional poker). And, the only time you wait -- you are literally watching your opponent play the hand that you folded -- my favorite part.
(3) There's a short video explaining it on the home page:
www.skillbet.com basically, two people play the same hand against the same opponents -- only factor that causes the result to be different are the players actions.
Unfortunately, it's in private beta now so you can't try it -- but should open up soon....