Howard Lederer getting crushed on High Stakes Poker

Howard Lederer is a name that has seemed to fade from the spotlight over the last couple of years. While he is still sponsored by a major poker site and has hosted a few shows, we have not seen or heard much of him on the tables. He apparently looked to rejuvenate his image as a world class poker player by joining the cast of High Stakes Poker for the 2009 season.

Lederer’s reputation was once that of one of the best players in the world. It was regularly mentioned with the likes of Doyle Brunson. However, with the youth movement taking over in poker, he seems to be one of the old timers that has been left behind. That was never more apparent than after the first few shows of the new season.

During the first episode, Lederer bumped heads with Joe Hachem. As you probably know, Hachem took down the World Series Championship Event a few years ago and has since turned into a full time poker player. In what would turn out to be a $78,500 pot, Lederer was massively outplayed by the fairly new professional player.

The hand started with Lederer looing down at 1010. He made a pre-flop raise to $3,000 and was called by Hachem. The flop came out all spades and Lederer bet out with a $4,500 wager. Hachem immediately called him and saw another spade hit the turn. Lederer paused and then finally checked it down, but Hachem sensed weakness and laid out an $8,500 bet. Lederer took him time and came back over the top for $18,500 with a 10 high flush. While neither of Hachem’s J’s were spades, he could sense the weakness in Lederer and immediately pounded him back for $38,500. Lederer folded the winning hand.

It was more of the same in second episode. The most notable hand was duel that started between Lederer and Dwan. Lederer made a pre-flop raise with AK and Dwan decided to take advantage of the weakness that Lederer had been showing and came right back over the top of him with 86. Lederer returned the favor and then Dwan made another play for over $80,000! Lederer for some reason called this bet. The betting from that point forward slowed down and Dwan actually hit an 8, but you have to question what Lederer was thinking on this hand.

The moves that Dwan made dictated that he had either AA or KK. At worst, they were both sitting with AK. The best case scenario has them splitting the hand or Lederer losing a ton of money. If Lederer wanted to get his money in, he should have pushed all in after Dwan came over him the first time. Calling that large bet and then freezing on the board made no sense whatsoever. The deer in the headlights analogy is very appropriate here as he looked absolutely terrified during the entire hand.

We are not sure what Howard is trying to prove by joining the cast of High Stakes Poker other than the fact that he can be run over at anytime with any hand. It now makes sense why we have not seen much of him lately in regards to major wins or newsworthy cash game victories. He looks like he is just flat out playing scared.