Full Tilt Poker: Chat with Howard Lederer
Full Tilt now has a “Talk with the Pros” Room.
This exchange is from a Chat with Howard:
Question From BUNZEE: Another Question, More of a favour can you settle a prop bet between my buddy and me, I told him
that you are in Doyle Brunson’s last will and testament, is this not true?
Howard Lederer: True! His little lucky charm he calls “Casper” has been left to me. I am willing to wait a long time for it.
Question From colomsoldja: hey howard, do u see the wsop putting limitations on the amount of people that enter it?
Howard Lederer: I hope not. No one has ever been turned away
Question From NDmuck: do you think it is easier to make a steady profit at limit or NL?
Howard Lederer: NL is a game where skill is more consitently rewarded. But I have always preferred limit in cahs games
Question From JsoJones: You have 100x the blind. I’d say you are comfortable.
Howard Lederer: Those blinds keep going up. I am never comfortable in a tournament
Question From OSUJOE03: A follow up on idareyou’s question, do you think people are always quick to scream FIX but they just
dont realize the computer deals so many hands everyday that it hits those 1 in 1000000 hands at least once a day
Howard Lederer: Yes. Also, when an online player can play about 100 hands/hr at one table versus 30 live. And then that player
plays 2 or 3 tables, of course they will get more bad beats than live
Question From g0dsp33d111: lol roland de wolfe is sick, i played him heads up once in a 10+1 turbo, he destroyed me both
times, i learned so much just from getting my butt kicked.
Howard Lederer: There is no better way to get better than getting outplayed and learning from it!!
Question From BUMP-55: whats ur feelings on pp AA 1st postion ? Some people say all in some say slow play .
Howard Lederer: I say open for a normal raise and see what happens
Question From XXJediXX: Why are SNG blind structure so unfriendly to the better player? Can u change the short 6 minute
blinds
Howard Lederer: We have quick level changes, but we also raise the blinds much less per raise. That way the blinds actually go
up smother than other sites
Question From lugidees: Why doesn’t FT make buddy list?
Howard Lederer: we are working on it. Could be here soon
Question From XNoLimitPlayaX: Howard – I have a question regarding your limit pre-flop strategy discussed in your dvd. Do you
think this strategy is profitable at the $1-2 limits?
Howard Lederer: Yes. Winning will take more than using my pre-flop strategy. The strategy will give you a proper start, but you
still have to play well after that.
Question From Reader Rude: Who won poker superstars 3?
Howard Lederer: You’ll have to tune in. I’d have to kill you if I told you. LOL
Question From 4Cash124: I’ve heard a couple different theories and I’m confused what strategy to use for NL Tourneys, if I get
some chips early in a tourney should I see more hands or tighten up a little more as the tourney goes on?
Howard Lederer: I thnk you can loosen up a little. Use your chip advantage to put pressure on your opponents. But, don’t go too
far and try to play every hand. You won’t be a big stack for long if you do that
Question From mikie atkins: howard how does the “big game” work.. does the casino rake. or do the players put up a session
fee?
Howard Lederer: The casino takes a fee per player every hour
Question From kspokerkid: Do you think the ghost buster lighter from doyle will improve ur luck we u get it?
Howard Lederer: No. I don’t believe in luck. But, it is the lucky charm of the greatest poker player in history. It is an important
piece of poker history. I will be an honor to own it….in about 20 years, I hope.
Question From spookyda: good evening sir 1 question how do you play pocket aces on line I tend to lose with them
Howard Lederer: Don’t slow play them! Make a normal raise and hope someone moves in on you….just like what happened to
me a couple of hands ago
Question From TheDotComMan: hey howard did you know chip jett before you beat him at the party poker million?
Howard Lederer: I had played with him a couple of times. He is a very good player. I ran well that session.
Question From MR LAIR: What r some tips to stay focused at the table when u get bad cards for long runs
Howard Lederer: The best way to stay focused is to study your opponents for betting patterns and tell. If you stay engaged when
you fold the game never gets boring. You are always learning
Question From Scuba_Deuce: As someone who is involved with online poker – what direction do you think congress is going to
take towards online poker?
Howard Lederer: I hope they will see the wisdom of regulation. A prohibition is doomed to failure.
Question From Bang584: What do you believe are the best sources for tells? Facial expressions? Hands? Something else?
Howard Lederer: I always watch the hands. They tell a rich story
Question From skipdr: there’s a great player name on this site: Coward Folderer…how differently do you think players from
different countries and regions of the USA play?
Howard Lederer: Good name. I have noticed that Swedes and Californians seem to be the most aggressive. East coast players
seem to play more carefully.
Question From JustinPerun: Howard, since ur not anwering my questions, wanna play heads up for 1k?
Howard Lederer: Sorry, I try to answer as many as I can. I never play heads-up here. I try to play with as many players as I can,
when I do play
Your question has been submitted
Question From Joey No-Good: Should someone just starting out focus more on limit or no-limit? Tournaments or cash games?
Howard Lederer: You should play all games and game types. They will improve your overall game. After a while it will be clear
what you are best at. But, you should always play a little of everything to keep yourself sharp
Question From asfispimp: hey howard should you ever fold pocket kings preflop
Howard Lederer: only in very rare occasions. They are going to have to show me the aces
Question From FNSdirector: With ESPN televising the circuit events, do you think the playing fields will get as big as the WPT
events.
Howard Lederer: Is that deal done? I did not hear an announce,ent
Question From MikeJohnson724: Howard, what limits did you start at when you started playing live?
Howard Lederer: 25 cent- $1
Question From joeymx: When did your learning curve slow down enough that you felt confident there weren’t many situations
you would run into that you couldn’t handle?
Howard Lederer: At least ten years. But, I am comitted to always learning and getting better. If you aren’t improving, you aren’t
playing
Question From CardsCoach: How did you make the jump to higher stakes?
Howard Lederer: Slowly. I worked my way up the ladder one step at a time. If you keep improving and nurture your BR, you will
get to play as high as your talent will eventually bear.
Question From martyjon: Any heads up tips it seems to bethe only time my game falls down
Howard Lederer: You have to really open up your game. Heads-up is very volitale. But, if you wait for a good hand, you will get
blinded out.
Question From Sinister1957: When looking at your preflop stratagy what do u consider an open ..Someone just coming in at the
big blind price or a raise?
Howard Lederer: An open is when you are first to enter the pot for a normal raise (3-5x the big blind)
Question From TreeCB: What do think of Daniel Negreanu comment about your WPT lawsuit being frivilous
Howard Lederer: I obviously disagree. Go look up Jerry Kessler, and see the cases he has led and won in the past. If you thnk he
would lead a frivolous action, you are wrong
Howard Lederer: http://www.deweyballantine.com/attorney.cfm?attorney_id=1533
Question From countdowncross: In the 2004 WSOPME, ccould you have ever laid down those sevens in that spot or did Doyle
bet it right?
Howard Lederer: Never. I had the best hand and he drew out. It happens. He played the hand fine, and I had to call. That is poker
Question From iwannahitthat: are you a cool uncle to annies kids?do you have any kids yourself?
Howard Lederer: I would never call myself cool. LOL Yes, I have 1 son 10 years old
Question From CallMeTheGame: I know alot of pros like Gavin Smith and Phil Hellmuth like to play small pots. How, exactly, do
you control the size of the pot?
Howard Lederer: Everyone must find their own style. Though I have tremendous respect for their styles, I could never play like
Gavin or Phil
Question From setminer: Is your lawsuit going to bring up the fact that the final table at the WPT makes it a crapshoot after a
short time and will you try to make them extend the time between blinds to make it a more WSOP blind structure at the finle
table?
Howard Lederer: The blind structures are a big part of why we are suing. The unlawful agreements are the only reason we are
forced to play under such absurd conditions at the final table
Howard Lederer: I’ll be back in a few. On break now
Question From Rock solid 10: do u think gavin plays good
Howard Lederer: Gavin is fantastic. He really gets the most out of weak players
Question From RiverKingIII: Howard how did Annie do at WSOP???
Howard Lederer: She did really well in the main event. She finished 88th out of 8700. I am very proud of her. She had a few other
cashes as well.
Question From guzoem: How do you go about teaching your son about how to play poker – do you even?
Howard Lederer: I will teach him when he askes me to. I would never force the game on him
Question From wammie: do you find that you base your decisions more on mathematics or your player reads?
Howard Lederer: 90% of the time I make my plays based on mathematics. reads should only be used when you have a really
close decision.
Question From SpechelEDD: hey howard, whats your take on the negreanu/raymer wpt spat
Howard Lederer: People are entitled to differing opinions on things. I would like to see personal attacks stay out of it
Question From jlee19: Seriously Howard come on, I respect what you are doing as far as sueing about the rights to your name,
however can’t a poker tournament put the blinds at whatever they want? The blinds on here go up every 10 min.
Howard Lederer: Yes they can. But, the WPT mandates the same horrible structure at every event. Thsi can only happen with
total market dominance. If there were competition in the marketplace, then the casinos would have to compete for our business.
Howard Lederer: In a competitive environment, the structure would no doubt be better
Question From RobGR81: Howard, my computer crashed so I don’t know if you answered my question about stu ungar. Did u
ever get to play with “the kid”, and how do you think he would stack up in todays poker world?
Howard Lederer: Stu UNgar was quite simply teh best NLHE tournament player to ever play the game. He would still be today.
He was also the one of the worst cash game players I have ever seen. I played him a lot in both forms of the game
Question From 1wayout: I know you are a big Grateful Dead fan I was just wondering if you like any southern rock like the
Allman Brothers, etc.
Howard Lederer: I love the Allman’s, but not much else in the Southern genre
Question From Sweet Thunder: Do you get more reads from physical/verbal actions or from betting styles/patterns?
Howard Lederer: Mostly styles and patterns. I very rarely use physical tells. They can get you in big trouble
Question From jackuiowa: Howard, what effect does the Jamie Gold win have on big tournament poker, Positive or Negative?
Howard Lederer: Only time will tell. Obviously his Hollywoood connections could open a lot of doors.
Question From krazybrak90: hi howard in POKER SUPERSTARS the 1st season who do u think was your tuffest oppoent
Howard Lederer: Gus was really tough. He was in every hand, you never knew where he was at.
Question From abomb4x4: Are you a better player than Annie?
Howard Lederer: I used to say yes. But lately, she has been playing very well, and I have only playing part time.
Question From lokiikol: howard — people say you are shortstacked in a tourney at ten bets. at what point should i start making
moves as i approach that level?
Howard Lederer: Between 20 and 10 is where you should take some chances to avoid getting too low
Question From Irishluck83: Howard, what is the best way to learn a new poker game?
Howard Lederer: Play it cheap online and then move up slowly
Question From DC11GE: Howard, when is FTP going to start the promotions for the 2007 WSOP? Will they be the same as far
as freerolls and buyin tourneys?
Howard Lederer: I would think in about 6 months. We will be rolling out a big new promotion in about a week. It should be a lot of
fun
Question From odaat: This is probably the dumbest question on the planet, but how do you know when to walk away from the
cash table. I’ve played at so many cash tables and made plenty of money, but then had it sucked back out of me.
Howard Lederer: I like ti limit my losses to about 30 big bets blind in limit poker; about 100x the big blind in no-limit
Howard Lederer: sorry, I had a bunch of hands
Question From iiioftexas: i notice you show your cards alot. Can you give some advice on that?
Howard Lederer: I never show my cards when I play seriously. But when I play here, I feel like I am teaching as much as I am
playing
Question From smoky24: did you cash in any events this year?
Howard Lederer: Only 1. I was very dissapointed
Question From Big Koi: Hey Howard, I’m about to play in the 25k, what is the best approach for the first hour? I’ve heard “very
tight” and also “a little loose because it’s cheap”.
Howard Lederer: I think you should just play your best poker. The fact that it is a tournament should make no difference early.
Question From 719bluffer: hey howard, what do you think is the best starting hand in omaha hi lo.
Howard Lederer: AA23 double suited
Question From tonystacks: Hi Howard…what are your feelings about the H.O.R.S.E. event becoming the main event to crown a
champion at the WSOP?
Howard Lederer: The big HORSE will be a very important event each year. But, nothing will take the place of the main event
Question From TMACK9898: do you prefer to play online or live poker
Howard Lederer: Imlike both. I never choose one over the other
Question From trippedaces: Howd u do in the FTOPS event #1 tongiht?
Howard Lederer: Just made the money!! I have 74k
Your question has been submitted
Question From eltorro71: Howard do you think a pro will win the WSOP main event in the near future?
Howard Lederer: Right now I think it is about 8-1 each year that a name pro will win. I would say that both Raymer and Hachem
were pros. We had just never heard of them
Your question has been submitted
Question From zyunas: layne flack says he never raises on the button without a hand casue nobody ever belives him, how do
you change your play on the button?
Howard Lederer: I have a different image than Layne. I can get a way with a little more. But, he gets more action than me when
he has a good hand
Question From JamesAC: Howard, how much does the luck factor in NL hold’em get to you? Isn’t it annoying to have all your
money in while your opponent chases a suck out and hits it?
Howard Lederer: You have to make peace with the luck factor. If poker didn’t have luck, it would be chess. Play well, and know
that in the long run good play will win out.
Question From tuckermitchell: how far do you open up your starting hand selection on a NL 6 handed table?
Howard Lederer: I don’t You just need to realize that first seat is like middle seat in a ring game
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