The best pair without a gold?

Which two bridge players made the strongest pair never to win a world title?

My vote would go to Edgar Kaplan and Norman Kay.

Kaplan, who lived in New York City and won 26 national championships, was the editor and publisher of The Bridge World magazine from 1967 until his death in 1997. He held various official positions and was a marvelous vugraph commentator. (At major championships, you can watch the play in the comfort of an auditorium while commentators try to interpret the auctions and predict what will happen.) He also had an excellent wine collection.

Let’s end the week with two deals featuring this pair.

This one occurred in the days when a jump two-no-trump response by South would have shown 13-15 points even in competition, hence his heavy one-notrump.

Kay (West) led the spade three (low from three in partner’s unsupported suit).

The bidding placed the spade queenjack and heart king with South. And as the diamond finesse was working if South needed it, Kaplan (East) realized that the defenders had to take the first five tricks. This required finding West with the club ace, but he was unlikely to have as much as A-Q-X. So, after winning the first trick with the spade king, Kaplan switched to the club king! He continued with the club two.

Understandably placing both top clubs with East, South put up his queen at trick three. Imagine his surprise when Kay produced the ace. He then returned a spade. Kaplan won with the king and cashed the jack-seven of clubs for down two. Brilliant!