One would be hard pressed to find a man who has benefited more from the poker explosion than Howard Lederer. Once counted amongst the anonymous ranks of professional Vegas card players, Howard has vaulted into the national spotlight in recent years, due largely to his fine showings in WPT and WSOP events. His unflappable demeanor, coupled with his mastery of the game, has earned him the nickname 'The Professor'-and the adoration of poker fans everywhere.

Howard was raised in New Hampshire , and quit college to play chess full time. He later gravitated to the poker tables, where at first, by his own admission, he got his butt kicked. After a progressive series of losses Howard began to take the game seriously, and can now be counted as one of the best players in the world. He currently lives in Las Vegas with his wife and son, and can frequently be found in the high-stakes cash games at the Bellagio. He can sometimes be found playing live action poker at www.fulltiltpoker.com.