Hobby and I were winging our way back to California after a memorable ten days at sea and in Hong Kong. The saga began when Hobby invited a Chinese doctor friend, Ken, to treat my ailing back. Ken fell in love with Hobby's yacht, Lazybuns, and bought it. The deal included delivering it to Hong Kong while Ken continued my back treatment. Hobby wound up $5 mil to the good and I came away with a few thou of poker winnings and a back that felt like a million.
"Joe, it's hard for me to imagine not living on Lazybuns."
"So, you're going to be a landlubber?"
"For now I'll live in the Palm Springs villa. It's the right season, but I've got my antennae out for a new yacht. I heard about a super-yacht in San Diego that's owned by a Mexican. Our shylock, Eddie, is checking it out. Will you come to Palm Springs?"
"Sure, but first I need a few days to look after business."
It was a week before I got to Palm Springs, and just in time, it was turning cold in L.A. Hobby greeted me saying, "I'm glad to see you. I've got some news on that yacht in San Diego."
"You goin' to buy it?"
"Well, not yet, it's $11 mil. But here's the angle, Joe. This guy who owns it, Carlos Gomez, is a high-stakes poker player," Hobby said with a smile and glint in his eyes.
"So you think you can win it in a poker game. You'd be putting a hell of a lot of money at risk."
"Nothing that drastic, but I might get into some action with him and see what happens."
"How are you going to do that?"
"Eddie found out Gomez plays in a private game at the Del Coronado Hotel that's run by 'Sausage Mike.'"
"Our friend from Vegas, interesting, we know he runs an honest game. What's the deal?"
"It's 100,000 buy-in-cash or cashier's check."
"Wow! Are you going to do it?"
"I've reserved a seat and booked rooms for us at the Del. It's tomorrow night."
"You're assuming I'm coming? I'm sure as hell not playing."
"You don't have to; you can come as my assistant."
"Yes, master, it will be my pleasure."
We drove to San Diego in Hobby's Rolls and drew a few stares as we pulled under the portico of the Del. "I love this grand old hotel, Hobby. I remember scenes shot here for Some Like It Hot." We just barely had time for dinner before the start of the nine o'clock game.
"Joe and Hobby, nice to see you again," Mike said as he ushered us into the suite where about a dozen people were gathered. There was a quick round of first name introduction. Most were Hispanics; fortunately only one named Carlos, the supposed yacht owner.
Soon Mike announced, "Players, take a seat. Observers will stay away from the table and keep quiet. Only English may be spoken. Peter, who will also serve drinks and snacks, will pick up your stakes money. The game is $50-$100 no-limit Texas hold 'em. I'll deal and maintain the peace. We'll take twenty minute breaks ever two hours and play as long as there are at least two willing players. Any questions or objections?" No one spoke up.
"Sausage" Mike got the moniker from the size and shape of his digits which look like well stuffed sausages. When young, his father gave him a deck of cards to improve his manual dexterity. He took to the deck like a piglet to a nipple and over several years became an expert card handler. Later, as a casino dealer, he attracted hordes of players to his table just to watch the phenomenon. In recent years he has become a well-regarded private dealer.
We had come to the first break when I asked Hobby how it was going. It had seemed from my vantage point he was holding his own. "A couple guys are playing loose and I'm just waiting for the right opportunity to take them out on a big pot. Carlos is a good player, but I think I've picked up a tell and I'm subtly planting one of my own, which I think Carlos has noticed. If a pot's not too big I rub my thumb and index finger together when I'm bluffing. I'll try it again for Carlos' benefit if I get the right chance."
After the break Hobby had hot hands and took down several big pots. Losing players brought out briefcases stacked with bills and bought more chips; it was big money. Hobby kept growing his stacks at the expense of less skilled players who desperately plunged to make up losses. Three players had emptied their briefcases and departed. Hobby got into a modest-sized pot with Carlos. As they viewed the river card Hobby made a pot matching bet and gave up his tell, rubbing his fingers. Carlos called showing a pair of nines; Hobby mucked.
It was almost daylight when the two remaining players, Hobby and Carlos, went heads-up. Hobby had an apparent chip lead when he bested Carlos' flush with a full boat. Carlos had gone all-in and was busted. "I hate to quit now," Carlos said, "but I'm out of cash. Can I put up my yacht for collateral, Senor Hobby; it's worth $11 million?"
"Sure, I'm game."
It was only two hands later, when the board showed a mixed bag of cards, that Hobby gave up his tell and went all-in. Carlos quickly called and flashed a pair of aces. He was stunned when Hobby turned over a winning straight. "I don't know what to do," he stammered. "You'll have to wait while I sell my yacht."
"Let's work on that now," Hobby suggested. After much haggling Carlos agreed to give up his yacht for his losses and Hobby's check for $4 million.
Write to author David Valley at: dvalley1@san.rr.com
