“MY FAVORITE 52”

When I first spotted “My Favorite 52,” I did a double take at the cover. It really brought back some warm, funny memories. Was this the same handsome, boyish looking Larry Cohen I met in Atlanta some twenty-three ago? Indeed it was. He reminded me of the Picture of Dorian Gray — minus the shoulder length curly hair.

The first time I heard his name was from my daughter who had just graduated UVA and majored in Bridge (so went the rumor — but we never told her daddy). In fact one of my favorite bridge stories concerns a casual afternoon rubber bridge game between classes. Though she was a relative novice, her enthusiasm attracted fellow addicts. One day after lunch she and three others enjoyed a few hours playing and as she was about to head home to settle down to her studies, her host asked her to hang on a moment. Within seconds he returned with a tattered bridge book and commented, “I think you have the makings of a good bridge player — why don’t you read this. Robin looked down straight faced, cuddled the book in her arms and thanked him for the lovely compliment. That night she called home and confessed he had lent her “The Complete Book of Duplicate Bridge” by Silodor, Kay and Karpin. The next day in class (before she had a chance to figure out how to wiggle out of the situation), her young host accosted her, stating, ” Robin, excuse me while I remove my foot from my mouth. I just learned your last name was Kay as in Norman Kay”. Embarrassing moments — but it titillated us for months as we recalled the incident.

After graduation, she moved to New York and was lucky enough to become a rent-free tenant on Edgar’s fourth floor. She met a lot of bridge players in the Big Apple and when they learned she was driving down to the Fall Nationals, she became exceedingly popular. Once her crew arrived in Atlanta, she played in some random two-day session. As she was walking through the deserted garage after the game she bumped into a nice young man who warned her she should not be alone late at night. They started chatting and he asked how she did. Proudly, she beamed, “We are going in second.” “Oh, he replied, “we are in third place.” Having raised a very polite daughter, she knew it was incorrect to challenge him, because she knew who was right behind her. However, he indeed proved to be telling the truth. She was playing in the beginner’s event. Her new ‘garage chum’ was playing in Flight ‘A’ or something comparable. I wanted to meet the nice fella who kindly escorted Robin to safety. Sometime later in the week she introduced me to Sir Galahad and I expressed my appreciation for his courtesy.

That was my first exposure to Larry Cohen, author of the most popular bridge book of all times, “The Law of Total Tricks.” Norman and I fell in love with him when we first met. On the other hand, he came into Bobby’s life much later and admires him as a player, writer, analyst, administrator, teacher, cruise director and an all-around-good guy — spreading himself thin — availing himself in every bridge venue imaginable. I must confess the last few weeks have been time consuming (with the sectional, Trials, Brazil visa arrangements, etc.)) and I am behind schedule. Thus I have been trying to catch up –and though only halfway through, it’s quite apparent if “My Favorite 52” is half as delightful as Larry’s array of old time pictures, this guy’s got another winner.

To be continued.