Legendary New York poker player Howard "Howie the Kid" Feingold has passed away

The poker community mourns the loss of Howard Feingold, known as "Howie the Kid," who passed away due to heart complications. His contribution to poker will forever remain in the memory of players.

The poker community of New York and all of America has suffered a great loss — Howard Feingold, known as “Howie the Kid,” has passed away. The cause of death was complications related to heart disease. His passing was reported by his longtime friend and mentor, professional player Kenna James, who shared his memories of Howard with PokerNews. A vibrant personality and a complex character Kenna James, who served as Feingold’s poker coach, noted that Howard was a man with a bright, unforgettable personality. According to James, Feingold managed to combine several life roles at once: he thought about faith, family, friendship, gambling, poker, entertainment, and business all at the same time. Howard never tried to hide his inner contradictions; on the contrary, he openly discussed them, arguing with himself and sincerely defending both sides. James emphasized that Feingold was a unique person who left a deep mark on the lives of many people. After his death, Howard Feingold donated his organs to those in need of transplants. This act became his final gesture of generosity and care for others. Poker journey: from underground games to major tournaments Howard Feingold was a prominent figure on the New York poker scene for many years. In an interview with poker journalist Paul Oresteen in 2024, Feingold spoke about his first steps in poker. From 1985 to 1990, he played almost daily, including in a well-known underground room connected to the Gotti family, where Seven Card Stud games were held with three possible raises per street and a set cap. It was during this time that he earned the nickname “Howard the Kid.” Feingold openly admitted that he was a gambler in those years. He could win $2,000–3,000 in a night playing poker, but would immediately lose that money shooting dice. This lifestyle eventually led him to take a break from his poker career. One incident stood out in his memory: during one game, he noticed that the legendary player Amarillo Slim was trying to cheat. Feingold didn’t stay silent and directly accused his opponent of unfair play. According to him, another well-known old-school poker player was also present at that game, but he preferred not to name him. A long absence and return to poker After that incident, Feingold stepped away from poker for many years, even missing the famous “Moneymaker Boom” — the period when poker became a mass phenomenon thanks to Chris Moneymaker’s victory at the WSOP. He was inspired to return to the game after accidentally seeing a poker tournament broadcast on TV. From that moment, he began actively participating in tournaments again and quickly started racking up cashes. Tournament achievements and winnings According to The Hendon Mob database, Howard Feingold’s total tournament winnings since 2018 amounted to $507,078. His best result was 21st place at the World Poker Tour (WPT) Lucky Hearts Poker Open Championship in 2022, for which he received $33,440. Although Feingold never managed to win the main title he was aiming for, Kenna James noted: “The main championship slipped away from him only because he ran out of time. He managed almost everything else. I think he had a more important game ahead of him.” Howard Feingold’s brief winnings statistics: Total tournament winnings: $507,078 (since 2018) Best result: 21st place at WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open Championship 2022 — $33,440 Remembrance and farewell Howard Feingold’s funeral will take place on Thursday at 11:30 AM at Riverside-Nassau North Chapel, 55 N. Station Plaza, Great Neck, New York. The PokerNews editorial team expressed their condolences to the player’s family and friends. What this means for PPPoker club players Howard Feingold’s story is a reminder of how important it is to balance excitement with responsibility. His journey shows that even after a long break, you can return to the game and achieve success if you approach poker consciously and learn from your own experience. For PPPoker club members, Feingold’s example is a reason to reflect on honesty and ethics in the game. He was not afraid to openly call out cheating at the table, which speaks to his principles and respect for poker as a mind sport. In today’s online clubs, these qualities are especially relevant: it’s important to maintain fair play and not turn a blind eye to violations. Finally, Feingold’s story inspires us not to limit ourselves to results at the table. His generosity and willingness to help others are an example for any player. In PPPoker clubs, not only skill is valued, but also contributions to the community’s development. Remember this as you play and interact with other members.