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Howard Lederer grew up in a family of 5 in which he enjoyed gambling on different card games at a young age. He discovered himself getting really competitive in the above-mentioned card games while competing against his dad. After finishing high school, Howard made a decision to put higher education on hold for a little bit and moved away to New York to participate in some big-time chess. While playing chess, he was brought in to a poker game taking place in the rear of the room. Howard’s first two years were difficult as he played countless hours and fail to win a majority of the time. He made some extra money by being an runner for the poker players. He believed he possibly could improve his game by analyzing his life outside of poker. He brought about an effort to get more sleep and focus more on the game.

The actual improvement in his game began when he started wagering at the Mayfair Club in New York. The Mayfair was a bridge and backgammon club where the the most favorable gamblers would often challenge one another. Howard was able to access several of the greatest minds in chess. With their help, Howard Lederer would tweak his strategic thinking techniques. Howard used these strategy ideas in the game of No-Limit hold’em.

Howard Lederer also helped his sister Annie Duke learn poker. Annie was a great student of poker as she constantly asked questions about the right way to make the proper choice. Howard Lederer told Annie Duke to move out to Las Vegas and compete in the World Series of Poker tournaments. She is one of the strongest female players the poker arena has ever seen. Howard Lederer moved to Vegas in 1993 and participated in money games for the next decade. When the World Poker Tournament gained popularity, he made the decision to play more tournaments.