Misc World Wide (!) Pairs Game
Friday Evening, June 1, 6 p.m.
Entry Fee: $8, includes book by Eric Kokish
You must sign up at Club, so we can order books
No Afternoon Game, Friday, June 1
 Growing Up Before Our Eyes -- Part III |
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| Jim Somma | ||||||
| Thursday, September 18, 2008 | ||||||
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If our first club game at Wally Klugiewicz’s Thursday matinee was a disappointing 37% effort in 2003, March 2, 2006 was the day that Adam Kaplan got into the record book as the youngest Life Master in ACBL history. Adam had accrued many gold, red, and silver points but lacked 1.32 black points until that fateful Thursday. Adam and I posted a 67.13% game to win 3+ black points to make bridge history.
O ne of the deals that gave us a cold top demonstrated Adam’s bidding boldness at its finest - of course, yours truly had to declare. In second seat, red on red, I hold: S-AKxxx, H-KQxx, D-xxx, C-Q. I open 1 Spade, and after LHO passes, Adam bids 2 Clubs (game forcing). Although I couldn’t open a Precision Club (15 HCP) I jump to 3 Hearts (at least 14 HCP, at least 5-4 in the majors). Adam now bids 5NT - the Grand Slam Force for hearts. With two of the three top honors, I have to TYP (trust your partner) and bid 7 Hearts. LHO doubles and leads the Ace of Diamonds. Adam tables the following dummy: S-Qxx, H-AJxxx, D-void, C-AKxxx. WHEW! The hand is a breeze to play. We are the only pair in seven so the double is just a bonus.
I n a STAC game, I hold: S-KJxxx, H-Jxx, D-K, C-AKxx and I open 1 Spade. Adam bids 2 Hearts (game forcing) and I raise to three. Adam now bids 4 Clubs! What the heck is 4 Clubs? Being Italian, I work out what it can’t be - it’s not Gerber and it’s not a new suit. It must be a cue bid. Well if my friend can cue bid so can the old man, so I bid 4 Diamonds. Adam’s eyes light up as he bids 6 Spades. Okay Jim. open mouth, insert foot. LHO leads the Ace of Diamonds and Adam tables: S-AQx, H-AQxxx, D-QJ1098, C-void. I win the heart switch with the ace, pull trumps (3-2 thank you), and run the diamonds for 12 tricks.
A dam and I are playing in a club game in Clearwater. As East-West, we move to a table occupied by a pair of outstanding players, Ulker Mutlu and Bernie (Bud) Bernstein. I estimate that between the two long-time partners they must have about 25,000 MP’s. Both are great admirers of Adam and have given him many excellent tips over the years. On one board, red on red, I hold: S-xxx, H-KQx, D-KQx, C-Axxx. Ulker passes and I bid 1NT, alerted as 11-14 HCP. Bud bids 2 Spades, alerted as at least six spades with two of the top three honors. Adam bids 3 Spades (a relay to clubs). I know Adam has a game-going hand so I jump to 5 Clubs. Bud passes, and after some deliberation, Adam bids 6 Clubs. Oh brother! My partner either has great faith in my ability or delights in watching me squirm - I think it’s a little of both.
B ud leads the Ace of Spades and Adam tables: S-x, H-Axx, D-Axx, C-KQJxxx. The play is simple - even for me. Twelve tricks are cold and as we score up the slam, Ulker asks Adam why he bid it. “Well, I know Jim has 14 points and at least four clubs,” Adam says. “I have 14 points in three suits and Jim has at least 11-12 in those same suits. If he has the Ace of Spades there are no spade losers. If you had 83% of the points, wouldn’t you bid six?” Ulker gives Adam a pinch on his ample cheek and says, “I love this guy.” Amen to that!
Sincerely, Jim Somma {easycomments}
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