Welcome to the World Series of Lending Poker.  Tonight, we have some of our favorite contenders at the table.  Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are with us once again as well as the rookie, Wall Street. 

Federally-backed Freddie and Fannie have had a pretty predictable run here since they often work a more conservative game.  They have lasted this long since they "know how to hold them and know when to fold them" as Kenny Rogers has crooned.

Privately-backed Wall Street, on the other hand, has had a run of good luck, and is currently the chip leader.  His strategy is a little more aggressive that his competitors.  Let's see how tonight's round pans out.

The deck is shuffled, blinds are placed and the cards are dealt to the players...

Freddie gets a King and a 5 of Clubs.  He has the potential for a flush draw.  Let's look at Fannie....she has a 7 and a 3 of Clubs.  Another potential flush draw!  Finally, we get a peek at Wall Street's cards...he has pocket Aces.  These Aces are a tempting little pair.  And Wall Street is excited.

Freddie and Fannie both decide to check and go for the slow play, but Wall Street is betting.  With potential flush draws on the line, Freddie and Fannie each decide to stay in and call.

The pot's good.  Now it's time to see the flop...

OHHHHH!  Flush Draws for both Freddie and Fannie and 3 of a kind for Wall Street.  The game could get very interesting from here.

Wall Street is so excited to get three of a kind off the flop that he overlooks the potential flush draw.  So he decides to bet.  And he bets BIG!

Freddie and Fannie, conservative as they are, know the odds.  So they take the bait and call.  The pot is good and now for the turn.  It is a card that helps no one, but Wall Street is determined to come out on top, so he bets again.  Freddie raises and Fannie and Wall Street call.

It's now time for the river card...it is another Club!  To be consistent, Wall Street decides to bet once again.  Already committed, Freddie and Fannie call.  Wall Street starts to get a little scared... while Freddie and Fannie are anxious to see what they could be up against.

The cards are all laid out and the results are in.  Freddie takes this hand with his King kicker and brings home a large pot.

Man, that was a big loss for Wall Street.  Let's take a break for a moment and let our players collect themselves before our next hand.  (Looks like Wall Street is on the phone with his sponsor.)

And we're back for another hand.   The blinds are placed, the cards are dealt and it appears that Wall Street has folded.  This is pretty early in the game, but after that last loss, I don't blame him.  Apparently, the call from his sponsor has caused him to play more conservatively and be more selective in the hands that he plays.  In the mean time, he has decided to sit a few hands out until he gets something that is more of a sure thing.  We probably won't see him in the next round much unless he has a flush draw or something worthwhile to play.  It seems that he is learning the hard way how and when to play his cards.

Will Wall Street get back in the game or will he continue to be a non-participating chip leader?  Only time will tell.  Slow and steady stays in the game.

Tune in next time for another round of the World Series of Lending Poker.

Just another musing by your local Gresham & Sandy Realtor