Howard Lederer

Howard Lederer is an American professional poker player and co-founder from Concord, New Hampshire. He has accumulated earnings exceeding $6.5 million from live tournaments, with his biggest live cash totaling $1,098,785. Howard Lederer has won 2 WSOP bracelets, achieving his first at the 31st WSOP in May 2000.

He is the co-author of ‘The Full Tilt Poker Strategy Guide: Tournament Edition‘ (2007) and the brother of Annie Duke. In addition, he has also appeared on High Stakes Poker.

Full Tilt Poker Ponzi Scheme

Howard Lederer co-founded Full Tilt Poker in 2004 and held a total of 8.6% of the shares. It became one of the largest online platforms globally and a main place for many high stakes games in the early days of online poker.

On April 15, 2011, known as “Black Friday,” the U.S. Department of Justice shut down several major online poker sites, including Full Tilt Poker, accusing them of illegal gambling and bank fraud. It was revealed that Full Tilt Poker had misled players and regulators about its financial health, using new player deposits to cover operational costs and pay off other players, effectively running a Ponzi scheme. This mismanagement led to the site’s collapse.

Full Tilt Poker was forced to suspend its operations and eventually shut down. In 2012, the site’s assets were seized, and it was announced that PokerStars would purchase Full Tilt Poker’s assets and agree to pay back players. PokerStars paid out over $300 million to compensate affected players.

Howard Lederer: Live Tournament Participation

Lederer’s first recorded live cash occurred in May 1987. He placed 13th in a $1,500 No Limit Hold’em at the 18th World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. He cashed $3,000.

During the 2008 Aussie Millions Poker Championship in Melbourne in January, he won his biggest live cash of $1,098,785. Lederer placed 1st in a A$100,000 + 500 No Limit Hold’em.

In January 2011, he placed 34th in a A$10,000 + 600 No Limit Hold’em – Main Event at the Aussie Millions Poker Championship in Melbourne. He took home $29,671.

Howard Lederer: Poker Journey on High Stakes Poker

Howard Lederer debuted on April 15th, 2009 HSP S5 Episode 7. He participated in a $400/800 + $200 ANTE No Limit Hold ’em with Phil Laak, Joe Hachem, Antonio Esfandiari, and others. He lost $22,800.

On April 22nd, 2009, during HSP S5 Episode 8, Lederer was seated at the table with Patrik Antonius, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Laak, and others. They played a $400/800 + $200 ANTE No Limit Hold ’em. He achieved his biggest win amounting to $5,800.

In a subsequent appearance on April 29th, 2009, in HSP S5 Episode 9, Lederer played in a $400/800 + $200 ANTE No Limit Hold ’em alongside Patrik Antonius,, Joe Hachem, Antonio Esfandiari, and others. He incurred his most substantial loss of $61,000.

In his most recent appearance on May 7th, 2009, in HSP S5 Episode 10, he participated in a $400/800 + $200 ANTE No Limit Hold ’em with Tom Dwan, Daniel Negreanu, Antonio Esfandiari, and others. Lederer lost $7,800.

Howard Lederer Other Notable Achievements

• May 2000: $5,000 + 100 Limit Omaha Hi/Lo at the 31st WSOP in Las Vegas (1st place, $198,000)
• May 2001: $5,000 + 150 No Limit Deuce to Seven Draw at the 32nd WSOP in Las Vegas (1st place, $165,870)
• November 2002: $10,000 + 200 No Limit Hold’em at the World Poker Finals in Mashantucket (1st place, $320,400)
• March 2003: $5,000 No Limit Hold’em during Party Poker Million II Cruise (1st place, $289,150)
• April 2003: $2,500 No Limit Hold’em at the WPT Championship in Las Vegas (1st place, $220,820)
• April 2004: $2,500 + 100 No Limit Hold’em at the WPT Championship in Las Vegas (1st place, $339,842)