Howard Lederer: Career, Strategy, and Style of the Professional Poker Player

Howard Lederer's career, although tarnished by the Black Friday scandal, remains that of a high-level poker player. Howard Lederer and poker is not an obvious story: initially passionate about chess, it was much later that he embarked on a professional poker career. However, he was the one who taught another major player on the circuit… his own sister, Annie Duke! His methodical and calculated approach, coupled with his unshakable calm, earned him the nickname “Poker Professor.” We explain everything you need to know about Howard Lederer, one of the historical figures of the poker world.

The Career of Howard Lederer

The career of Annie Duke's brother is no less impressive than his sister's, and for good reason: he was the one who taught her how to play! Known as the “Poker Professor,” he is considered one of the best players in the world, and his tactics, personality, and calm demeanor are key factors in his success. Let's take a look at the biography of Howard Lederer, an exceptional player.

Before Anything Else, Howard Lederer is a Chess Champion

Howard Lederer was born in 1964 in Concord, New Hampshire. He grew up with his parents, brothers, and sisters, all of whom shared a love for games. Both of his parents were academics: his mother was a teacher at Concord High School, and his father, an English literature professor at St. Paul's School, was also an author and linguist. The whole family loved card games, so Howard Lederer grew up in an environment conducive to gaming.

His first poker opponent was none other than his father, who was tough on him. But poker was not his first passion: what truly excited him were chess games. As a teenager, he gained recognition for his promising talent by participating in competitions and attending specialized clubs. He even studied alongside Joel Benjamin, one of the grandmasters of chess in the United States.

After finishing high school, he enrolled at Columbia University in New York but eventually set aside his academic path. It was in the heart of New York City that he continued to play chess. He frequented the Mayfair Club, an underground private club that allowed him to meet other chess players, as well as bridge, backgammon, and poker players. He crossed paths with major names like Erik Seidel and Dan Harrington.

The Beginning of Poker: Discovering a Passion

At first, during the 1980s, when names like Johnny Chang were making history, Howard Lederer faced numerous defeats. For example, he tried to qualify for the 1986 World Series of Poker event but failed. However, this gave him the opportunity to learn.

His strategic mindset from chess became his foundation: with methodical dedication, he studied the “strategies” and “tactics” of poker. At the same time, he encouraged his sister, Annie Duke, and taught her advanced strategies. He did the same for his other sister, Katy.

Then, in 1987, he tried again and literally surprised everyone: he reached the final table of the $10,000 No Limit Hold'Em Main Event and finished in 5th place! From that moment, his career was launched, and he gradually cemented his place among the greatest.

The Poker Professor at the Highest International Level

From there, he reached the final tables of nearly fifty tournaments, including more than thirty at the World Series of Poker: Howard Lederer and the WSOP share a long history. This is especially true since he was primarily a cash game player and participated in very few tournaments other than the World Series of Poker, until the World Poker Tour began in the early 2000s, as we will discuss below.

Before that, Howard Lederer moved to Las Vegas in 1993. Between 1993 and 1999, he reached eight final tables during the World Series of Poker. His first WSOP bracelet was won in 2000 at an Omaha Hi-Lo 5,000$ tournament. However, his quest for WSOP bracelets did not stop there, as he won his second one the following year by taking the title at the Deuce to Seven No-Limit 5,000$ tournament in 2001.

As mentioned earlier, in the first edition of the World Poker Tour in 2003, he won two championships and continued to establish himself as one of the leading poker players globally. In 2004, he also won two 1st places at the next World Poker Tour event.

The Black Friday Scandal

Howard Lederer was one of the main executives of Full Tilt Poker, one of the largest online poker sites until 2011, when the site shut down following the “Black Friday” scandal. The U.S. Department of Justice accused Full Tilt of deceiving its players through a Ponzi scheme: the company was no longer able to repay them.

After this episode, he withdrew from the international poker scene and only returned in 2016 to publicly apologize. Despite the controversies and criticisms, Howard Lederer remains an exceptional player who has made a significant mark on the history of poker and is still recognized today as one of the greatest.

How Much Money Has Howard Lederer Earned Playing Poker?

Howard Lederer’s fortune was built through poker, and his poker earnings have been phenomenal: thanks to Howard Lederer’s records and his live tournaments, he accumulated a sum of nearly 6.6 million dollars during his poker career (exactly 6,582,745 million). Among Howard Lederer's biggest wins are:

1,098,785 dollars in 2008, finishing 1st at the Aussie Millions at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia
339,842 dollars in 2004, finishing 1st at the Bellagio Five-Star in Las Vegas
320,400 dollars in 2002, finishing 1st at the World Poker Finals

These staggering sums demonstrate Howard Lederer’s immense talent and mastery as an exceptional player.

Howard Lederer’s Achievements

Howard Lederer’s record is truly that of a great player, filled with victories and prestigious accomplishments:

The 2 WSOP bracelets Howard Lederer won are probably his most significant achievements
His 2 titles at the World Poker Tour, the 2002 WPT World Championship, and the 2003 WPT Foxwoods World Poker Finals
His victory at the 2002 Tournament of Champions at the World Series of Poker
His victory at the 2008 NBC National Heads-up Poker Championship
His advancement to the Omaha Limit final at the World Series of Poker in 1994
His 11 cashes at the World Series of Poker, including multiple final tables

Although he never had the opportunity to win the WSOP Player of the Year title, Howard Lederer remains one of the greatest competitors in this prestigious tournament. However, he was named Player of the Year at the first World Poker Tour event in 2002-2003. It’s worth noting that the WSOP Player of the Year title was created in 2004, which may explain why he never won it.

Style and "Strategy" of This Player

A brilliant mind, the Texas Hold'em specialist Howard Lederer stands out with his unrelenting gaze and his impressive height of 6’5” (1.95 meters). However, he never relied on his size, physique, or imposing presence at the table. His nickname “Professor,” as mentioned earlier, is primarily due to his very particular charisma. Howard Lederer’s playing style is very methodical, patient, and he analyzes every detail to aid his decision-making process.

Howard Lederer’s poker “strategy” is based on a calculated approach, rooted in mathematics, probabilities, and game theory. With a very disciplined profile, he applies pressure and never, ever, makes decisions in haste or out of emotion. He inherited this method from his years of competitive chess, seeking to anticipate his opponents' next moves and push them to make mistakes.

While certainly aggressive when needed, he always remains in control. A formidable opponent, it was not ideal to find yourself at his table in a competition: you could be sure he would make the best possible use of the hands in his possession!