Under the Table: The Case Against the Blue Team

by Avon Wilsmore

This book looks at the actions of the "classic" Italian Blue Team, whose incredible run of victories in clue the World Championships of 1957-1959, 1961-1969 and 1972-1975. Throughout that time, there were suspicions as to how these victories were achieved. To what extent were these suspicions justified?

The actions of administrators, in response to the problem of cheating over the last 60 year, is discussed in detail. Is it the case that an unofficial policy of "minimize the scandal" in the 1950s and 1960s led to the horrific facts uncovered by Boye Brogeland and others in 2015?

382 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2018

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheating!
Written by Avon Wilsmore, this is an extremely well-researched, documented and reasoned treatment of cheating by the Italian Blue Team in International Bridge Tournaments over a period of decades. It is very convincing. At almost 400 pages in length, it is not a light read, It is extensively footnoted and endnoted. Hundreds of deals are presented from tournaments held all over the world from 1958 right through to the recent past. In addition to the Italians, he describes cheating by the French, the Austrians, the British, and others. He tells how an American pair was penalized by the American Contract Bridge League simply because they dared to call attention to the obvious cheating that was taking place at their table. He quotes several American Bridge experts (like Bobby Wolff) extensively, and tells the story of how the Italian and European Bridge organizations successfully fought off the implementation of bidding screens until the mid-1970's, and how some teams were still able to find ways to cheat, including the Israelis and the team from Monaco.

If you are a Bridge aficionado, and especially if you play competitive Bridge, you should read this book. I will be very surprised if you do not agree with the author's conclusions.

[Monte Lamb · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the mid-50's until the 1970's, the Italian Blue team ruled the world of high level Contract Bridge. There were many who believed they were cheating and there were complaints to the governing authorities, but there was very little punishment. With current computer speed, it is easier to see that there were many abnormalities with their bidding and opening leads. It seemed they were able to make bids and plays that would not be made by other top level players. In fact, it seems impossible that they could so consistently go against the grain and be right most of the time. The author lays out his findings. I am not sure what is more pitiful-the idea that they were cheating or for how long the Bridge governing bodies failed to do something about it. The book goes into a great deal of detail and seemed to drag at times. However, if you want to see in detail how the author presents his case that they were cheating, you can get a full picture of how and why he and others believed they were.