Playing bridge with Adam Kaplan has made the game very interesting and much more enjoyable for many reasons.
 

When we first started playing, many adults thought they could take advantage of a 7-year-old. To their chagrin, they found out just how well Adam could play. As Adam became more experienced, his ability as both declarer and defender improved markedly and his knowledge of systems and conventions grew beyond my wildest dreams.

It didn’t start that way. In our first club game at Wally Klugewicz’s Thursday matinee, we had a resounding 37% effort. One of the hands that contributed to that debacle was a 4 Spade contract by the LHO. I had overcalled in hearts and Adam, on lead, tabled the Club 10. I watched Adam’s discards throughout the rest of the deal and the only other club from his hand was the seven. Why do novices love to lead the top of a worthless doubleton not in partner’s bid suit? After the hand was over, I leaned across the table and said, “Adam, I bid hearts.” I’ve never had to repeat that expression in the last five years.

Next time, don’t grin so much on the first lead.

I gave Adam a copy of the Encyclopedia of Bridge and told him to pay particular attention to the section dealing with suit combinations. Coping with suit combinations is the biggest challenge a declarer faces. Jokingly, I told Adam he had to memorize this 55-page section. A few months later, Adam returned the book and said, “I’ve memorized about half. Is that okay?” What would you give to have a brain like that. To this day, Adam is one of the best declarers I’ve played with because of his ability to treat suit combinations properly.

Another gem I passed on to Adam is a ploy called the “Bath Coup.” Essentially, as declarer you hold the AJx of the suit bid by the opponents. When LHO leads the Spade King, play low. If LHO continues with Spades, you are assured of two tricks. It’s another matinee in New Port Richey and after a lively round of bidding, Adam declares in 4 Spades. My RHO leads the Heart King and Adam plays low. Unfortunately for RHO, his partner’s lowest heart is the seven which appears to be encouraging. RHO continues with the Heart Queen and Adam wins the Ace. After pulling trumps, Adam cashes the Heart Jack and looks at me with a big grin on his face. ”Did I do it right,” he asks me. I try to reply with a straight face and say, “Next time, don’t grin so much on the first lead.”

Sincerely, Jim Somma