Howard Lederer Biography

Howard “The Professor” Lederer plays online exclusively at Full Tilt Poker.

An icon in the world of poker, Howard Lederer has two WSOP bracelets, two WPT titles and almost $5 million in career tournament earnings. He is one of the most inspirational and encouraging players on the circuit today, admired for his disciplined play and willingness to act as a poker educator and ambassador on television, radio and in print.

In the 1980’s, Howard discovered poker in the back room of a New York chess club. His realization that the critical thinking and strategy he’d reserved for the board could benefit him at the poker table ended his fledgling chess career. For the next two years, Howard played poker obsessively, often up to 80 hours a week, determined to master the game.

Howard found his way to the famous Mayfair Club, meeting a group of like-minds that were among the first to experiment with No-Limit Hold 'em in New York City. This unlikely collection of players included fellow Team Full Tilt member Erik Seidel and a host of now famous WSOP bracelet winners. Howard played for up to 10 hours a day, leaving as late as 2 AM. After the game was over, many of the players, Howard included, would head out to review their hands and dissect their opponent’s strategies. In 1987, Howard placed 5th in the WSOP, beating five other Mayfair Club regulars who all placed in the top 15.

In 1993, Howard left New York for Las Vegas and began his string of high-profile wins. The first came at the 1994 Hall of Fame Poker Classic when he won the $2.5K No-Limit Deuce to Seven Draw event, and his second followed in 1995 when he defended his title in the same event.

Howard won his first gold bracelet in the $5K Limit Omaha Hi/Lo event at the 2000 WSOP. At the 2001 WSOP he won his second in the $5K Deuce to Seven event. His success continued with a WPT Championship title at Foxwoods in November of 2002, which he quickly followed with a second WPT Championship win in the $5K Limit Hold 'em event on The Poker Million cruise in March of 2003.

Howard continued his run, earning three Bellagio titles in quick succession. He won the $2.5K No-Limit Hold 'em event at the 2003 Bellagio Five-Star World Poker Classic,  the $2.5K No-Limit Hold 'em event in April of 2004, and took down the $5K Pot-Limit Omaha event just 13 days later.

He started 2008 with a major victory, banking $1.25 Million at the Aussie Millions $100K No-Limit Hold ‘em event. Howard kept his winning streak with three deep runs at the WSOP, including two final tables. Less than two months later, Howard took 3rd place at the £2.5K HORSE event at the WSOPE in London. By the end of 2008 Howard added over $1.4 million to his career tournament earnings.

Howard is well recognised by veterans and newcomers across the industry thanks to his numerous television wins. In 2007, he crushed his opponents twice on Poker After Dark, taking home a total of $240K. He also made the final televised table at Poker Millions VI in London, where he finished 5th for $125K.

Howard “The Professor” plays an analytical strategic game based largely on complex poker theories. He has provided commentary and analysis on Full Tilt Poker's "Learn from the Pros" and the Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament.

Howard contributed to the notable poker coaching titles “Dead Man’s Hand” and “Little Green Book” and created the instructional video series “Secrets of No-Limit Hold ‘em.” Taking his role as an educator further, he created the Howard Lederer Poker Fantasy Camp which gave players the opportunity to learn from the best in the game.

You can find Howard playing online exclusively at Full Tilt Poker.