Rough

So, for those of you who can't recall the sordid details of my failed flat purchase, here's a brief summary (the phrase "Cliff Notes" will not be used here, mainly because I never used them (if they existed when I studied, which I doubt), I'm not sure whether they are sold in the UK (which means that it's a US-centric phrase, something that no professional, or talented amateur, writer should use when it's an international audience -- although I know I may transgress this rule myself sometimes!), and, well, "summary" is a shorter word). Of course, "précis" is shorter still, but, given many readers problems with all words French, I'd better stick to summary.

First, the couple downstaris start looking for a house. They put in an offer. It's accepted. I arrange mortgage for purchase of flat downstairs. Everything is running smoothly until...

Second, Vendor of the house being bought by couple downstairs, dies. Drops dead. Mid-thirties.

Thirdly, Everything goes into chaos, but widow assures couple downstairs that she still wants to sell to them. Time drags.

Fourthly, Widow gets breast cancer. Flies to America for treatment. Widow returns. Time drags.

Fifthly Gets to last week, about eight months on. Widow suddenly decides that she isn't going to sell the house after all, but is going to rent it out.

So,yesterday, I phone solicitor. Get answerphone. Odd.

Today, I phone solicitor again. Ask if he's around.

"No, I'm afraid he died. We were at his funeral yesterday."

Jesus. Has any deal been so cursed? He was a nice guy, too.

I'm tempted just to hide my head in the sand about this and let everyone else sort it out. There would be a certain poetic justice for solicitors to try to get in touch with me, only to be told that the solicitor was dead. The only minor problem is that the deeds to my flat are still parked somewhere in Croydon. Hey ho.


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I was going to post this as a hand history, but it's quite easy to remember, and it raises an interesting point. I feel that I made the right play here, given that I am inexperienced at the game, but I would be interested to know if anyone else would have played it differently.

I'm in the steal position, with CO and Button behind me, 10-handed at $100 buy-in. Blinds are 50c and $1.

Me: $102
CO (18%/4%, sample of 30 hands, slightly down in the half-hour that I've been playing): $130
Button (25%/13%, sample of 10 hands, losing $21.50): $18.50

My hand, Qc Qs

Passed to me and I raise to $4
CO flat calls
Button raises all-in.
SB Folds
BB Folds
I reraise to $40. CO folds.


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