Players Sharpen Skills At Poker Camp

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- As reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "The campers who attended Howard Lederer's Fantasy Poker Camp in Las Vegas were aspiring Texas Hold 'Em players seeking a chance to sharpen their skills and mingle with the newest breed of celebrities from the ubiquitous televised tournaments.

"…Texas Hold 'Em is played in the final event of the World Series of Poker, held at Binion's Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas each year since 1970. The proliferation of online poker sites and TV exposure has quadrupled the number of World Series entrants. This, plus the fact that an average player riding a lucky streak can beat a pro, sent 306 players to Camp Lederer's second season in April.

"Lederer, known as the Professor of Poker, earns his living on the pro circuit and was mentor to his sister Annie Duke, who recently won $2 million in the winner-take-all Tournament of Champions on ESPN, beating 'poker brat' Phil Hellmuth on the final hand.

"The first full day of camp consisted of three breakout sessions that featured Lederer, Duke and pros Chris 'Jesus' Ferguson and Phil Gordon.

"…Another nice touch was the abundance of seasoned dealers, many of whom had dealt legendary hands in the World Series.

"…While the campers didn't perform a show for their parents at the awards banquet, the pros did tell their war stories…"