Howard Lederer lived in a family of 5 where he enjoyed participating in various card games when he was young. He found himself getting very competitive in these card games as he was competing against his father. After graduating from high school, Howard made a decision to put college on hold for a little while and relocated to New York to compete in some formidable chess. While playing chess, he was brought in to a poker game taking place in the rear of the room. Howard’s initial 2 years were tough as he would play extensive hours and do not win most times. He made some extra money by becoming an runner for the poker players. He theorized he could boost his game by balancing his life outside of poker. He made an attempt to get more rest and concentrate more on the game.
The actual improvement in his skills began when he began betting at the Mayfair Club in New York. The Mayfair was a bridge and backgammon club where the the most favorable gamblers would frequently play against each other. He had access into some of the greatest minds in chess. With their help, he would tweak his strategic thinking techniques. Howard used these strategy ideas in the game of NL hold’em.
Howard Lederer also assisted his sister Annie Duke learn poker. Annie Duke was an excellent student of poker as she would consistently be asking questions about the right way to make the correct choice. He told Annie Duke to move out to Las Vegas and compete in the World Series of Poker tournaments. Annie Duke is one of the greatest female players the poker arena ever. He moved to Sin City in Nineteen Ninety Three and played money games for the next decade. When the World Poker Tournament gained popularity, Howard made the decision to play more tournaments.
