Howard Lederer grew up in a family of 5 in which he enjoyed betting on numerous card games at a young age. He found himself getting really aggressive in these particular card games as he was competing against his dad. After finishing high school, Howard decided to put higher education on hold for a little while and moved away to New York to compete in some formidable chess. While competing in chess, he was introduced to a poker game taking place in the back of the room. Howard’s initial two years were difficult as he played countless hours and lost most times. He made some additional cash by becoming an assistant for the poker enthusiasts. He believed he might better his game by balancing his life outside of poker. He brought about an effort to get more sleep and concentrate more on poker.
The actual improvement in his game began when he began betting at the Mayfair Club in New York City. The Mayfair was a bridge and backgammon club where the best gamblers would often wager against one another. He had access into a few of the greatest minds in chess. With their assistance, Howard would sharpen his strategic thinking skills. Howard used these strategic concepts in the game of No-Limit texas hold’em.
He also assisted his sibling Annie Duke learn the game of poker. Annie Duke was an excellent student of the game as she constantly asked questions about how to make the proper decision. Howard Lederer told Annie Duke to move out to Las Vegas and compete in the World Series of Poker tournaments. Annie Duke is one of the strongest female players the poker world today. He headed to Vegas in Nineteen Ninety Three and competed in money games for the following decade. When the WPT grew in popularity, he made the decision to participate in more tournaments.