Howard Lederer lived in a family of five where he enjoyed gambling on different card games at a young age. He found himself getting very aggressive in these card games while competing against his father. After finishing high school, Howard decided to put higher education on hold for a little while and headed to New York to play some serious chess. While playing chess, he was introduced to a poker game taking place in the rear of the room. Howard’s initial 2 years were tough as he would play countless hours and lose most times. He earned some extra cash by being an assistant for the poker players. He theorized he could improve his game by adjusting his life outside of poker. He made an effort to get more rest and concentrate even more on poker.

The definite improvement in his game began when he started gambling at the Mayfair Club in New York City. The Mayfair was a bridge and backgammon association where the best gamblers would frequently challenge one another. He had access into a number of the best minds in chess. With their help, he would hone his strategic thinking abilities. Howard used these strategic concepts in the game of NL texas hold’em.

Howard Lederer also assisted his sister Annie Duke learn poker. She was a superb student of poker as she would always be asking questions about how to make the proper decision. Howard Lederer told Annie Duke to move out to Sin City and play in the World Series of Poker competition. Annie Duke is one of the best women players the poker arena ever. He relocated to Las Vegas in Nineteen Ninety Three and played cash games for the subsequent decade. When the WPT grew in popularity, Howard decided to participate in more tournaments.