The effect of laser polarization direction on electron inelastic scattering and acceleration with extra-intense linear-polarized pulsed lasers was studied by means of 3D simulation of the relativistic Newton-Lorentz equation of motion. It has been found that when Q 0 is less than ten (Q 0=eE/m e ωc measures the laser intensity)

there is no noticeable polarization effect

which is consistent with the traditional ponderomotive potential model. While Q 0>30

the electron scattering and acceleration are found to be sensitive to the laser polarization direction. Tthe characteristics of the polarization effect examined were in details. This study is of significance not only in understanding the features of non-linear Compton scattering which underlies the acceleration effect

but also in experimentally testing the laser-driven electron acceleration as well as designing laser accelerator in the future.