Bridge

Edgar Kaplan of Manhattan had a world reputation as player, administrator, theorist, author, teacher, commentator, authority on the laws of the game, and editor of “The Bridge World.” It was one of my prouder moments when he and I were simultaneously inducted into the ACBL’s Hall of Fame.

Early in his playing career, Kaplan held the South hand when a trump was led against his four-spade contract, thus making it clear that West did not have both top clubs. There were four obvious losers, and with routine play the defense would be sure to take them.

However, Kaplan made a remarkable play at the second trick, after winning the trump lead in his hand. He led the diamond three, putting West to the test. West did remarkably well when he put up the 10 and won the trick, but what was he to do next?

Since West “knew” that East held a diamond honor, a club shift seemed completely unnecessary. So West led the heart ace and another heart, putting Kaplan in the driver’s seat after winning with the king.

He happily ruffed out the diamond ace, returned to his hand with a trump lead, and discarded two clubs from dummy on diamond winners. A club was the third and last trick for the defense.

Of course, after the routine lead of a diamond honor by South at the second trick, West would have been far more likely to realize that a club shift was called for.

Bid with the aces

South holds:

Answer: Bid one spade, although doubling for takeout is acceptable, too. The idea behind bidding spades is that you are worth a second call, so you can get your suits into the auction in the right order and let partner pick where he wants to play, knowing you have more spades than diamonds.