The Italian Blue Team won three consecutive Olympiads and ten consecutive Bermuda Bowls. They retired in 1969 and returned in 1972, winning their third Olympiad and three consecutive Bermuda Bowls.
When I was learning bridge in 1970s Australia, "everybody" knew that the Blue Team was the greatest set of bridgeplayers of all time, while Americans of the day were inferior, closed-minded sore-losers.
This article: https://bridgewinners.com/article/view/the-talk-that-never-was-the-blue-team-rule/ describes why I changed my mind, and serves as an introduction to what the book is about.
Some comments from top-class players:
Bart Bramley:
A page-turner on the controversial subject of Blue Team cheating. Regardless of your previous opinion (if any), you will find Wilsmore's arguments compelling and his conclusions provocative.This is the most thorough deal-by-deal examination ever done.
Anders Wirgren:
When I took up bridge in the late 1960's, the Italian Blue Team impressed me immensely. I never understood how they could find so many extraordinary bids and plays which nobody else could match, so I supposed they knew something an amateur like myself did not. After reading Avon's well-researched book, I understand why I was so perplexed back then. Read it yourself and you will find out why the Italians were so successful!
Eric Kokish:
...not until now has the full extent of the Blue Team's collusive cheating been catalogued and revealed. Wilsmore's book is the product of vast amounts of scholarly research, cross-referencing, and verification. As you read through the deals you will be horrified by the extent of what happened without official challenge or responsible investigation, and you will be in no doubt that the author's conclusions are accurate.
Copies are available from some bridge bookstores:
Australia:
https://www.bridgegear.com.au/virtuemart/5874-sku5874-under-the-table.html
Sweden:
https://www.bridgeforlaget.se/en/product/wilsmore-under-the-table
USA:
https://baronbarclay.com/products/under-the-table
https://bridgebookjeremy.com/under-the-table-by-avon-wilsmore/
Here are two downloadable sample chapters:
The Range Signal
The Shortage Signal
