Busy with Buying and Guido

Apologies for lack of posting, the last 3 weeks have been a little crazy.  For starters, on March 1st I found a house ad in Bothell.  Called my realtor friend who set up viewing for the next day.  The ad had posted at a few minutes past midnight Thursday morning, we toured the townhouse at 2:30 Fri.  Loved it but found out an over asking price offer had already been made that expired at 11:00 Saturday morning.  Gulp.

A quick word about Seattle housing market.  It is 2nd hottest in the country, with barely 30 day supply.  Similar houses or 2 br apartments are renting North of $2500 a month.  We were paying 2k for a 1 bedroom apartment.  Our daughter spent a frustrating year before outbidding for her house 2 years ago.  A racquetball buddy sold his 1700 sq. Ft. Split level 2 weeks ago for $135k over the $750 asking price.  There were 120 viewings and 13 offers within 2 days.

So, we decided to go in fast and strong meeting our realtor Satuday morning to write an offer.  Bottom line, we got it by noon that day with escalation, full cash, no contingencies, and a non-refundable $75,000 deposit (not an Ernest money), beating the other offer by $10k.

Now the fun begins.  I must deposit the $75 by Monday and show proof of funds for purchase.  The deposit funds were my sweat with most of my assets invested and some lag time for clearing.  I had 1/2 available but needed $35 cash (not check) immediately.  This is where "Guido" comes in.  I saw a poker buddy Saturday night and described my dilemma.  He asked how much I needed.  I replied $35k, cash.  No problem, he would loan it to me.  Really, $35k cash? Yep.  Poker players are such sick f_cks!  We walk around with more money than most people have in checking accounts (not me of course in case some bad person reads this).  So, I meet him the next day, he hands me a thick manilla envelope secured by rubber bands.  We don't count it.  Turns out i didn't need it, but it did raise the banker's eyebrows when I told him I was bringing it in.  Explaining it was poker money led to a discussion of Hold'em with him being a player!

So, deal closed on 16th while we were in Missouri on family visit, we moved on the 21st.  Like I said, a crazy month.

Swedish Club

My last visit to the Swedish Club with its killer view of Lake Union was probably in the early 90's at a company Christmas party.  Last Saturday afternoon there was a private poker tournament held there.  Lucky to get a last minute invitation to the $250 buy in event from an old buddy who is more of a poker degenerate than even me.  Food and drink was provided, along with professional dealers.  The only weird thing was the lack of poker tables.  Long banquet tables were loosely covered with felt, which kept bunching up.  Also with 40 players they were short one dealer so we did a rotating self deal that was awkward.  I have had reoccurring dreams about this for a long time with long tables, awkward dealing.  Deja vu? 

The structure was good, 30 minute blinds, 12000 starting chips, reentry 3 levels, and 5000 chip $60 add-on at end of reentry.  Didn't hear size of prize pool, but paid 6 spots with over $4000 first place.  Unfortunately unable to cash in 8th place after 7+ hours of play.  Mistakes were made, which I will outline.

Mistake 1:  flopping a set of 3's on a 10 high dry board I let a very aggressive player off the hook who had flopped top pair.  A queen was on the turn and he folded to my large turn bet.  Had I checked pretty sure he would have bet, drawing dead with the A/10 that he showed.  An ace or 10 on the river would always get all the chips in.

Mistake 2:  flopped a set of 3's (are you seeing a pattern here?) On a 7/3/2 board.  Flop action, with a player calling my bet.  Like a rookie donkey I opened my mouth, saying "7 2?".  He folded to my turn bet commenting about my comment.  He was one of the chip leaders at the final table.

Mistake 3?:  Not sure about this one. Playing A/K, hit an ace on the flop.  The aggressive guy from before raised my bet.  The turn was a king, putting 3 Broadway cards on the board.  I bet into him, he re-raised all in.  I tanked, then folded.  Live to play again as it was early.

Mistake 4: also involving same guy.  On the final table, he shoves in late position.  I have him barely covered but will be the shortest stack if I lose, all in with small blind.  I have 9/9 in the big blind.  I go into the tank.  Finally, after agonizing, I fold.  He shows A/K.  You are nearly always going to coin flip at some point late, and think I should have here.  The really bad part was the player next to me later took him out and then took me out with his enhanced stack.  My last hand was 4/8 in the big blind vs his 10/J in small blind.  I was pot committed with only 1 blind if folded.

There were several very good players and I learned a few things, particularly about late position aggression.