When Adam Kaplan, fresh off his stunning four-handed victory at the World Championship trials, sits down across from legendary teacher and 25-time national champion Larry Cohen, you know something special is about to unfold. But this wasn't just another high-stakes tournament—this was SPARK! 2025, the annual celebrity charity event where bridge's brightest stars join passionate amateurs to raise critical funds for junior bridge programs through the ACBL Educational Foundation.

As I watched Board 2 of this remarkable event, with expert commentary from Barry Rigal and Rob Barrington, I was reminded why bridge transcends mere card play. This was a celebration of community, mentorship, and investment in the next generation—all wrapped in the drama of world-class competitive bridge. Whether you attended SPARK! or are discovering it through this recap, prepare to witness how the game's elite navigate pressure, inference, and split-second decisions—all while supporting a cause that ensures bridge thrives for decades to come.

The SPARK! Mission: Lighting the Path for Young Players

Before we dive into the hand analysis, let's talk about why this event matters. The SPARK! Fund, administered by the ACBL Educational Foundation, represents the bridge community's commitment to nurturing players under 31 through travel stipends, tournament support, educational camps, and school programs ACBL Educational Foundation.

As ACBL Educational Foundation materials emphasize, "Every dollar builds the future of bridge." This isn't hyperbole—it's a recognition that without deliberate investment in youth education, the game we love risks aging out. SPARK! events like this celebrity tournament transform bridge expertise into tangible resources: scholarships for promising juniors, funding for youth bridge camps, and grants that bring bridge into schools where students might never otherwise encounter the game.

When you watch Adam Kaplan explain his reasoning for a critical finesse, or Larry Cohen deduce hidden distribution from the auction, you're not just seeing masterful play—you're seeing exactly the kind of strategic thinking and analytical skill that junior programs cultivate in young minds Bridge Winners.

Meet the Table: Where Champions and Enthusiasts Unite

One of SPARK!'s most inspiring elements is its format: elite professionals partnered with passionate amateur players, leveling the playing field through mentorship and shared experience. Board 2 featured:

Adam Kaplan (East): At just 30 years old, Adam recently made headlines as part of USA1's unexpected trials victory, earning a spot representing the United States at the Bermuda Bowl. A two-time Junior World Champion, Adam brings fierce analytical precision to every hand Bridge Winners Profile.

Larry Cohen (North): A name synonymous with bridge education worldwide, Larry is an ACBL Hall of Famer whose "Law of Total Tricks" revolutionized competitive bidding. With over 25 national championships and a teaching empire that spans continents, Larry's presence at SPARK! underscores the event's commitment to sharing expertise across generations LarryCo.com.

West and South: Representing the amateur ranks—accomplished players who bring enthusiasm, local club experience, and the reminder that bridge belongs to everyone, regardless of masterpoint totals.

Commentators: Barry Rigal, Chief Vugraph Commentator for the World Bridge Federation and prolific author, joined Rob Barrington, beloved online bridge teacher, and Kai Eckert to provide insight that made this hand accessible to viewers of all levels Barry Rigal Wikipedia.

This mix—world champions sitting alongside club players—embodies what the ACBL Educational Foundation envisions for bridge's future: a game where excellence inspires rather than intimidates, and where every player, regardless of age or experience, contributes to a vibrant, welcoming community.

The Auction: Competitive Bidding Under Pressure

With East-West vulnerable and playing for charity bragging rights (not to mention matchpoint perfection), the auction unfolded with fascinating psychology:

Opening Decisions: Adam held a five-card spade suit but passed in first seat, avoiding a two-spade preempt that might have made sense white-on-red. His reasoning? "The three-card heart suit and the ace... I don't like opening weak two-bids that much." This reflects modern expert thinking: disciplined preempts preserve partnership accuracy and avoid parking out potential heart fits.

Third-Seat Light: West opened, showing offensive values. North (Larry) could have overcalled one diamond but passed—a decision that would later factor into declarer's inference.

Competitive Entry: When East responded one spade, South waded in with a takeout double, turning a simple auction into a multi-way battle for the contract.

The Game Try: After North competed to three diamonds, East bid three hearts. As Adam explained post-hand, "Given that there's only one bid available on the way to three spades, the most useful and natural thing to do with it is to say this is a game try." This subtle agreement—using competitive space to invite game—shows how expert partnerships squeeze maximum information from constrained bidding.

Selling Out: South considered four diamonds but wisely let the opponents play three spades—the kind of matchpoint judgment that separates good players from great ones.

5 Key Moments That Defined the Play

1. The Opening Lead Decision

After winning the diamond ace, Adam faced a critical choice. Barry Rigal predicted Adam would ruff a diamond and exit with a heart, forcing the opponents to open up spades and clubs. Instead, Adam took a different path—proving that even experienced commentators can't always predict what's going through a champion's mind.

2. The Club Suit Mystery

Adam bought the club suit for no losers—a stunning result. But this wasn't luck; it was inference. As Adam explained, "At that point I had seen nine points from [South], so I figured that if he had 11 with a singleton spade, he might have opened." By tracking visible high cards and considering South's decision to pass initially, Adam deduced that North (Larry) held the club honors, making the finesse a percentage play rather than a guess.

3. Larry's Critical Defense

Larry Cohen, defending in the North position, faced the dreaded decision of whether to give declarer a ruff-sluff. Rob Barrington offered sage advice for advancing players: "Just don't ever give a ruff-sluff. If you think it could be possible, avoid that eventuality at all costs." But Larry had something better—inference. As Barry noted, "Larry Cohen knows that Adam Kaplan had five spades and one diamond. And he also knows that East only has three hearts because South made a takeout double of one spade." With South's shape increasingly clear, Larry correctly deduced that a diamond exit couldn't hurt—and might even force declarer to guess.

4. The Finesse vs. Drop Decision

When Adam took the club finesse rather than playing for split honors, he used a principle every improving player should master: count their points, then count yours. "If [South] had 11 with a singleton spade, he might have opened," Adam reasoned. This point-count inference—combined with Larry's decision not to overcall one diamond with a 10-count—tipped the scales toward the finesse.

5. The Matchpoint Margin

As the commentators noted, "Lots of matchpoints at stake." The difference between making three and four spades—whether through an overtrick or defensive slip—would significantly impact the final scores. In duplicate bridge, every trick matters, a lesson that keeps even world champions laser-focused.

Teaching Moments: What Advancing Players Can Learn

While SPARK! exists to inspire rather than instruct, watching this hand offers invaluable insights for players looking to sharpen their game:

Count, Count, Count: Adam's decision-making relied on tracking high-card points throughout the play. If you know South has shown nine points and didn't open the bidding, you can infer where missing honors likely sit.

Use Negative Inferences: Larry's choice not to overcall one diamond became a clue for declarer. What your opponents don't do often tells you as much as what they do.

Avoid Giving Ruff-Sluffs (Unless You Know): As Rob advised, when in doubt, don't give declarer a free pitch. But as Larry demonstrated, when you've worked out the distribution, sometimes that "dangerous" exit is perfectly safe.

Game Tries in Competitive Auctions: Adam's three-heart bid showed how expert pairs maximize limited bidding space. When you've got only one call before your contract, make it count by defining your hand.

Discipline in Preempting: Adam's decision to pass rather than preempt two spades reflects modern expert philosophy: only preempt when the hand truly warrants it, not just because you can.

Why SPARK! Matters: From Exhibition to Education

Watching hands like this isn't just entertainment—it's an investment in bridge's ecosystem. The ACBL Educational Foundation uses funds raised through SPARK! to:

• Send promising juniors to national and international tournaments where they gain experience against top competition

• Fund bridge camps and workshops that teach not just cardplay, but critical thinking, partnership skills, and sportsmanship

• Support school bridge programs that introduce thousands of students annually to the game's intellectual challenges and social rewards

• Provide scholarships recognizing young players who demonstrate both bridge excellence and academic achievement

When Adam Kaplan analyzes a hand on camera, or Larry Cohen patiently explains his reasoning, they're modeling the kind of mentorship that defines successful junior programs. The ACBL Educational Foundation reports that youth bridge participants show improved math scores, enhanced problem-solving abilities, and greater social confidence—benefits that extend far beyond the bridge table ACBL Educational Foundation.

The Bridge Community at Its Best

What struck me most about SPARK! 2025 wasn't just the brilliant cardplay—it was the atmosphere. Pros and amateurs laughing together. Commentators breaking down complex concepts with warmth and humor. A shared commitment to ensuring that the game we love survives and thrives.

This is the bridge community at its absolute best: generous with knowledge, inclusive in spirit, and focused on the long game. Not just the long game of declarer planning eight or nine tricks, but the truly long game—ensuring that decades from now, young players will still discover the joy, challenge, and camaraderie that bridge offers.

How You Can Support Junior Bridge

If you're inspired by SPARK! 2025 and want to support the next generation of bridge talent, consider:

1. Donating directly to the SPARK! Fund through the ACBL Educational Foundation website

2. Participating in future SPARK! auctions and events, where your bids fund scholarships and programs

3. Mentoring young players at your local club, sharing your experience and passion for the game

4. Advocating for school bridge programs in your community, connecting educators with ACBL resources

5. Sharing content like this that showcases bridge's intellectual depth and community spirit

Conclusion: More Than a Game

Board 2 of SPARK! 2025 offered everything bridge lovers crave: intricate bidding, brilliant declarer play, thoughtful defense, and expert commentary. But it represented something even more important—a community that understands its greatest legacy isn't the masterpoints we accumulate or the tournaments we win, but the young players we inspire and support.

Adam Kaplan's world-class inference, Larry Cohen's patient defense, and the generous participation of players at all levels remind us why events like SPARK! matter. They transform bridge expertise into educational opportunity, turning every finesse and inference into fuel for the next generation's dreams.

So whether you attended SPARK! 2025 in person, watched online, or are discovering it now through this recap, know that you're part of something bigger than a card game. You're part of a movement to ensure that bridge—with all its intellectual challenge, strategic depth, and human connection—continues to enrich lives for generations to come.

Thank you to the ACBL Educational Foundation, all SPARK! participants, and everyone who supports junior bridge programs. The game's future is brighter because of you.

About the Author:

Tracey Bauer is the founder of Bridge Unleashed, dedicated to inspiring people about the game of bridge through innovative marketing, compelling storytelling, and community-building events. With 30 years of experience in marketing and technology, Tracey combines strategic expertise with genuine passion to help bridge organizations reach wider audiences and welcome new players into the game we love. Learn more at bridgeunleashed.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Q: What is the SPARK! Fund and how does it support junior bridge? A: The SPARK! Fund, administered by the ACBL Educational Foundation, provides grants specifically for youth bridge programs including travel stipends for tournaments, funding for educational camps, scholarships, and school bridge initiatives for players under 31. Every dollar raised directly supports opportunities for young players to learn, compete, and grow in the game.

Q: Who are Adam Kaplan and Larry Cohen? A: Adam Kaplan is a two-time Junior World Champion who recently won the 2024 USBF trials four-handed, earning a spot on Team USA for the Bermuda Bowl. Larry Cohen is an ACBL Hall of Famer, 25-time national champion, and renowned bridge teacher whose "Law of Total Tricks" is studied by players worldwide. Both donated their time and expertise to SPARK! 2025.

Q: How can I participate in future SPARK! events? A: SPARK! events include both live celebrity tournaments and online auctions where bridge enthusiasts can bid on lessons, playing opportunities, and memorabilia donated by top players. Visit the ACBL Educational Foundation website to learn about upcoming SPARK! initiatives and how to register or donate.

Q: What is a "game try" bid in competitive bridge? A: A game try is a bid that invites partner to bid game if they hold maximum values for their previous bid, while allowing a sign-off in partscore if they're minimum. Adam Kaplan's three-heart bid in this auction served as a game try, asking his partner to evaluate whether three spades or four spades was the right contract.

Q: Why did Adam Kaplan choose the club finesse over playing for the drop? A: Adam used point-count inference to deduce that South, who had already shown nine high-card points and passed initially, likely didn't hold additional club honors. Combined with Larry Cohen's decision not to overcall one diamond, Adam reasoned that North held the missing club honors, making the finesse the percentage play.

Q: What does "ruff-sluff" mean and why is it dangerous for defenders? A: A ruff-sluff occurs when defenders lead a suit that both declarer and dummy are void in, allowing declarer to ruff in one hand while discarding a loser from the other. It's generally dangerous because it typically gives declarer a "free" trick, though as this hand showed, experienced defenders like Larry Cohen can sometimes determine when it's actually safe.

Q: How do junior bridge programs benefit students beyond the game itself? A: Research and ACBL Educational Foundation reports indicate that youth bridge participants demonstrate improved mathematical reasoning, enhanced problem-solving skills, better memory and concentration, increased social confidence, and stronger partnership and communication abilities—all valuable life skills that extend well beyond the card table.

Q: Where can I watch more SPARK! 2025 content? A: Bridge Unleashed is producing video coverage of SPARK! 2025 boards with expert commentary. Visit the Bridge Unleashed YouTube channel or website at bridgeunleashed.com to watch additional hands and learn more about supporting junior bridge through the ACBL Educational Foundation.