Howard Lederer lived in a family of 5 in which he loved betting on different card games when he was young. He discovered himself getting very aggressive in these particular card games while playing his dad. After finishing high school, Howard made a decision to put higher education on hold for a little while and moved to New York to compete in some big-time chess. While competing in chess, he was introduced to a poker game taking place in the rear of the room. Howard’s first two years were tough as he played many hours and fail to win a majority of the time. He made some extra money by becoming an assistant for the poker players. He theorized he possibly could boost his game by analyzing his life outside of poker. He brought about an effort to get more rest and focus more on the game.
The definite advancement in his abilities began when he began betting at the Mayfair Club in New York City. The Mayfair was a bridge and backgammon association where the greatest gamblers would often compete against one another. Howard had access into a few of the greatest players in chess. With their help, Howard would hone his strategic thinking techniques. He used these strategic concepts in the game of No-Limit Texas Holdem.
He also assisted his sibling Annie Duke master poker. She was a great student of poker as she would consistently be asking questions about the right way to make the proper choice. He told Annie to move out to Las Vegas and play in the World Series of Poker tournaments. Annie is one of the strongest female players the poker arena ever. He moved to Sin City in 1993 and participated in cash games for the next decade. When the WPT gained popularity, he made the decision to participate in more tournaments.