I am an unabashed fan of excellent bridge players - no matter what their age. So, it’s no surprise that I hold Adam Kaplan in high esteem, much as I do for Jim Logan, Charlotte Kartsonis, Marion Ellingsen, Carol Hargrave, Judy Hofbauer, many others too numerous to mention. With Adam, it’s his sharp wit that always makes it a pleasure to play a round with him. Here are some of his sometimes barbed but accurate sayings.

That's a Push

In the St. Pete Bracket I knockouts we are teamed with Annabelle Hills and MaryAnn Dufresne, who are at the top of their game. After playing the first 12 boards, the ladies come back to our table to match the results. Annabelle proudly announces a +1,400 on one of the boards. Without blinking an eye, Adam tersely replies, “that’s a push!” When the ladies inquire further about the deal, Adam points to me and says, “Kamikaze pilot.” OUCH!

Just Enough

Adam and I are playing in the Bracketed Swiss event of the Sarasota Regional. In fourth seat, both red, I hold a 29-point monster which includes four aces and three kings. LHO passes and Adam starts to reach for the bidding box. You’ve got to be kidding. But Adam opens 2 NT! No, dear friends, that’s not your usual 20-21 HCP hand. In Meckwell Precision, we open 2 NT with 6-9 HCP and at least 10 cards in the minors (usually 5-5). I bid 4 Spades, 1430 for diamonds and Adam shows the DK. I bid 7 NT and table the dummy after the opening lead. Adam carefully views the dummy and quietly says, “just enough!” Adam had the top of his bid, meaning the opponents had two meaningless jacks.

That's Not For Takeout

In a club game in fourth seat, I hold: S-AQJ10, H-Axx, D-AJx, C-Axx. After three passes, I open a Precision Club and Adam bids 1 Diamond (0-4 HCP). Now RHO bids 1 Spade and I bid 2 NT (19-21 HCP with at least two stoppers in spades). LHO bids 3 Spades and RHO looks like she is going to be violently sick. After two passes, I drop the red card. They are red and I am looking at seven winners! LHO passes and Adam bids 4 Diamonds. RHO looks heavenward and gives a great sigh of relief. Now it’s my turn to put Adam on the hot seat. I bid 5 Diamonds which is passed out. RHO leads a diamond and as I table the dummy I say, “that’s not for takeout!” Adam looks sheepishly at the dummy and then calls for the jack. LHO puts up the queen which Adam wins with his only honor card. Adam gets back to his hand twice more to take spade finesses and he makes 11 tricks. Just when I think I have Adam cornered, he comes out on top.

The Logan Squeeze

Jim Logan is a terrific bridge player and a true gentleman - what else would you expect from a fellow New Englander. In a recent club game, Jim executed a squeeze play to corral twelve tricks and a top. In first seat, both red, Jim holds: S-Ax, H-x, D-AKxxxx, C-A10xx and opens 1 Diamond. LHO bids 1 Spade, Jim’s partner (Tom Madden) bids a negative double, and RHO bids 2 Spades. Jim bids 3 Diamonds, Tom bids 3 Hearts and Jim bids 4 Diamonds. No shrinking violet, Tom bids the diamond game and LHO leads the SK. Dummy has: S-x, H-AKQ10xx, D-xxx, C-Jxx. Jim wins with the ace, ruffs a spade in dummy, and plays the DK, LHO dropping the queen. Jim plays two more rounds of trumps with RHO winning the jack. RHO leads a club and Jim plays the ace. Now Jim starts to lead trumps and LHO is stumped. She holds four hearts to the jack and the KQ of clubs and can’t guard both suits. Well done, Jim!

Sincerely, Jim Somma