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Howard Lederer grew up in a family of 5 in which he liked betting on different card games at a young age. He found himself getting very aggressive in these particular card games while playing his dad. After finishing high school, Howard decided to place college on hold for a bit and moved to New York to play some serious chess. While playing chess, he was brought in to a poker game going on in the back of the room. Howard’s first two years were rough as he played many hours and lose most times. He made some additional money by being an runner for the poker players. He theorized he could better his game by balancing his life away from poker. He made an effort to get more sleep and concentrate even more on the game.

The real improvement in his game happened when he began gambling at the Mayfair Club in New York City. The Mayfair was a bridge and backgammon association where the greatest gamblers would often challenge each other. Howard had access into several of the best minds in chess. With their assistance, Howard Lederer would sharpen his strategic thinking skills. Howard applied these strategic concepts to the game of No-Limit holdem.

Howard also assisted his sibling Annie Duke learn the game of poker. Annie was a superb student of the game as she would consistently be asking questions about the right way to make the proper choice. Howard told Annie Duke to head out to Las Vegas and compete in the World Series of Poker tournaments. Annie Duke is one of the best women players the poker world ever. Howard Lederer headed to Vegas in Nineteen Ninety Three and participated in money games for the next decade. When the World Poker Tournament gained popularity, Howard decided to compete in more tournaments.