Famous hand

Italy won its first Bermuda Bowl in 30 years in 2005, capturing the title by defeating its perennial rival, the United States, by 18 IMPs in the 128-board final.

In the final, the US was leading at the half by 31 IMPs, but fell behind over the next 48 boards to trail by nine going into the last 16 boards. In this deal from the final set, the Italians exercised excellent judgment at both tables to gain 12 IMPs.

At the first table, Alfredo Versace and Lorenzo Lauria quickly reached four hearts as shown with only 15 high-card points between them. Versace’s two-diamond bid indicated both majors, and East’s heart bid, in effect bidding one of North’s suits, showed values and implied diamond support. After South’s four-heart bid, Jeff Meckstroth, East, showed fine judgment of his own by not doubling this contract despite holding 13 high-card points opposite his partner’s opening bid. Eric Rodwell, West, began by cashing the ace of clubs and ace of diamonds, after which declarer could not lose more than a heart trick to score 620 points. Even if Rodwell had not cashed the diamond ace at trick two, declarer was virtually certain to guess the winning play in diamonds -- finessing the jack -- when the time came later in the play. At the other table, the US North-South pair was never in the bidding, and the Italians stopped on a dime in three clubs despite holding 25 points in the combined hands. Three clubs made exactly, giving Italy another 110 points to add to its 620 at the first table.