One of the advantages of retirement is to do things you couldn’t when you had to earn a living. For me, playing bridge is one of those things. And playing with Adam Kaplan has made bridge much more enjoyable.

I first met Adam when his father, Todd, approached Wally Klugewicz, who directed four games in New Port Richey. Todd wanted Adam (7 years old) to play duplicate bridge. After a few games with various people, I told Todd I would be willing to play with Adam once a week every week. Adam’s development as a bridge player and as a person is astonishing.

The Tampa Sectional was underway and Todd and Adam had played in the Open Pairs event. Todd asked me if I could find a partner so we could play in the Sunday Swiss. Mary Ann Rank (a lovely lady and excellent bridge player) agreed to play with me. We are sitting north-south and Todd and Adam return from their first round. Mary Ann matches scores with Todd and on one board she says, “We’re plus 50.” Todd replies, “No, we’re plus 420.” I interject, “You can’t make 4 Spades. I have five little spades and I led one.” “We didn’t get a spade lead and Adam made 4 Spades,” Todd says. I look at Adam and ask him how he made 4 Spades. Adam has that impish grin on his face and he says, “I cross-ruff the whole hand.” Mary Ann and I look at each other in amazement. At age 7, Adam has the ability to visualize declarer play to make a nearly impossible contract. WOW!

I have always emphasized to Adam that bridge is a microcosm of the real world. You will meet different people with their own traits and idiosyncrasies. Treat them with respect but do not fear them. Even great bridge players make mistakes. The key is minimize the amount of mistakes you make. Most important, bridge is a game. Have fun. The world will not end if you go down in a cold contract. If your opponent makes what seems to be a hopeless contract, congratulate them, do not berate your partner for failing to defeat it.

Adam and I played every Thursday in New Port Richey, and we had many grand times. Lots of good results and lots of laughs. As Joan Waite once said, “You and Adam just seem to have the right chemistry.” Speaking of which, Adam puts me in a rather precarious 4 Spade contract. After the lead, Adam excuses himself and heads to the men's room. He must have developed some tropical ailment because he doesn’t return until there were only two cards left to play. I have won nine tricks and I hold a high trump which I soon claim. Adam looks at the tricks I’ve won and says with great astonishment, “You made it!” The opponents and I burst out laughing and I say, “Once in a while, the old man makes a contract.”

Fast forward to the 2008 Sarasota Regional. We are in the finals of the Bracket III Knockouts and trail by about 10 IMPs with four boards to play. A deal containing bold bidding, expert declarer play, and slipshod defense turns the tide of battle. In fourth seat, both red, I hold: S-Jxx, H-AKJ10x, D-xxx, C-10x. LHO deals and passes, and Adam opens a Precision Club. RHO passes and I bid 2 Diamonds (at least five hearts, at least nine points). Adam bids 2 Hearts (transfer accepted) and after I show two of the three top honors, Adam bids the slam. RHO leads the Club Jack, the top of a worthless doubleton — YUK! Adam wins in hand and finesses the Heart 10. A spade from the board is taken by the LHO who leads a club hoping partner will ruff. Adam wins the trick with dummy’s 10, spade to the King, another finesse with the jack, and Ace-King of hearts pulls the remaining trumps. A diamond to the Ace and Adam cashes three clubs for 12 tricks. Our opponents only bid to the heart game and we
win the KO by three IMPs.

Sincerely, Jim Somma

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