But with all their efforts only Italy has a record of persistent performance at world championship level in Bermuda Bowl with England and France making a mark intermittently. For more than two decades the teams of United States has dominated the bridge scene at the world level, leaving Italy and other European countries behind.
It is relevant to mention that Pakistan is the only country from Asia, Africa and Middle East Zone so far to have the distinction of reaching the finals of Bermuda Bowl and to finish runners up in 1981. But the European countries namely, England, Italy, Holland, Belgium, Finland, Germany and Poland etc. are making strenuous efforts to challenge the supremacy of America in the top level world championships at Bermuda Bowl and world Olympiad. But America has advanced too far in sophisticated and technically sound approach to the game because of wide spread interest in bridge there and well organised bridge institutions. And it will take a Herculean effort for other continents of Europe, Asia and Africa to make a dent in Americans dominant position in the game.
Most likely European countries will improve their performance to make a mark at the world level as the bridge movement there is very fairly organised and they have numerous interstate bridge championships competitions that will surely help in improving standards of the game as a whole.
The European teams have tried to developed their own systems and methods of bidding that vary to a certain degree that needs perfect understanding between the partners to decipher the message. In a sense their bidding is at a variance with others.
A hand from a pair competition between Norway and Holland held in Warsaw, Poland last year, as briefly reported by the British Bridge Magazine, is given below, which reflects aggressive approach of Oslo pair taking the placements of opponent's cards in full view on the basis of bidding. That was a piece of good judgement, which no other pair of Poland or Netherlands could reach a slam contract.
(1) Cue bidding diamonds showing singleton or void in diamonds
(2) Cue bidding diamonds showing support in trump suit with the king.
North led diamond king:
There was a short pause after the bidding. The declarer complimented himself for bidding a slam with two losers in hearts despite a takeout double by left hand opponent. But he stood by his Oslo reputation for aggressive bidding and the play was a simple affair to succeed in making a contract, which depended on the heart finesse and it was 95 percent certainty that the king of hearts was to be with the takeout doubler.
Having led the king the North continued with the ace of diamonds, which was ruffed by the declarer in hand and played three rounds of trump and confidently finessed the queen of hearts and claimed the contract.
The eleven-pointer hand of the North was reduced to only three points that of the king of diamonds which won the first and the last trick.
In this sequence of bidding the first cue bid was a right decision and cue bidding by East showed a peculiar of method of showing king of the trump suit with two or three cards, which had no bearing as to the holding the number of cards held in the opponent's suit. But the final result was a successful slam, which other pair failed to reach. That showed a perfect assessment of the opponent cards.
GOLDEN TIPS:
A calculated aggressive bid shows both methodical and meritorious approach to the game.
West Dealer
Both-Sides Vulnerable:
North
S 53
H KJ98
D AK964
C 64
West
S AQJ986
H 65
D 3
C AKQ8
East
S K2
H AQ1043
D 1085
C J72
South
S 1074
H 72
D J 72
C10953
The bidding:
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West North East South
Helgemo Paulissen Furunes Nab
1S DBL RDBL Pass
Pass 2D Pass Pass
4D (1) Pass 4 H Pass
4S Pass 5D (2) Pass
6S Pass Pass Pass
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