Howard Lederer biography
Howard Lederer was born on 30 October 1964 in Concord, New Hampshire. His father, author and linguist Richard Lederer, taught him chess, which he played in New York after high school before moving to poker at the Mayfair Club. His sister is poker player Annie Duke, whom he mentored, and his other sister is author Katy Lederer. He moved to Las Vegas in 1993.
Known as "The Professor", Lederer finished 5th in the 1987 WSOP Main Event and won World Series of Poker bracelets in $5,000 Limit Omaha Hi/Lo in 2000 and $5,000 No-Limit Deuce to Seven Draw in 2001. He won two World Poker Tour titles in the tour's early seasons, won more than A$1 million in the 2008 Aussie Millions High Roller and finished 2nd in the 2010 WSOP Tournament of Champions.
Lederer was a founding member and former president of Tiltware, which launched Full Tilt Poker in 2004. After Black Friday in April 2011 the site closed to US players, and in a 2011 civil complaint the US Department of Justice alleged that the company had defrauded players. In December 2012 he settled with the DOJ without admitting wrongdoing, agreeing to forfeit assets worth more than $2.5 million. His last recorded cash was in January 2011; he has more than $6.5 million in live tournament earnings.
Career summary
Howard "The Professor" Lederer won two WSOP bracelets and two WPT titles and co-founded Full Tilt Poker, whose collapse after Black Friday ended his public career.
Howard Lederer poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | WSOP $5,000 No-Limit Deuce to Seven Draw | 1st | $165,870 |
| 2000 | WSOP $5,000 Limit Omaha Hi/Lo | 1st | $198,000 |
| 2010 | WSOP Tournament of Champions | 2nd | $250,000 |
Verified live tournament earnings: $6,500,000+, plus 2 WSOP bracelets.
Howard Lederer playing style
Lederer was a methodical, mathematically minded player whose disciplined approach earned him the nickname "The Professor".
Business & sponsorships
Founding member and former president of Tiltware, the company that launched Full Tilt Poker in 2004.
Why Howard matters
Howard "The Professor" Lederer was one of the most respected players of the poker boom, with two bracelets and two WPT titles, before Full Tilt Poker's collapse after Black Friday ended his public career.
FAQ about Howard Lederer
Why is Howard Lederer called "The Professor"?
Jesse May gave him the nickname for his methodical, analytical approach to the game.
Is Howard Lederer related to Annie Duke?
Yes, Annie Duke is his sister.
What was Howard Lederer's role at Full Tilt Poker?
He was a founding member and former president of Tiltware, the company behind Full Tilt Poker.
How much has Howard Lederer won playing poker?
Howard Lederer has won $6,500,000+ in live tournament earnings.
How many WSOP bracelets does Howard Lederer have?
Howard Lederer has won 2 WSOP bracelets.
