The Italians went into the second set of board ahead by even more than they could have hoped for. The score stood at 91 IMPs for Italy and 31 for USA 2. The Italians not only were playing well -- they were playing in good luck, a combination that is hard, if not impossible, to beat.

Board 22. Dealer East. EW Game ª Q 7 6 © A K Q 5 ¨ K 3 § 10 8 7 5 ª 10 9 2 ª A K J 8 3 © — © 9 7 6 3 2 ¨ A Q 10 8 6 2 ¨ 4 § A Q J 6 § 9 2 ª 5 4 © J 10 8 4 ¨ J 9 7 5 § K 4 3

Both rooms had a toy to describe the East hand and they both employed it on the go. The Italians used 2} to describe a hand with 5-10 HCP and at least 5-4 in the majors. The Americans used 2¨ to convey the same message. In each case East-West were happy to stop in 2ª -- but they weren't happy when play started. The Italians gained an IMP by making all 13 tricks while the Americans made only 12. It certainly seems strange to have such a clever gadget and not even be able to get to game.

Italy missed a chance on Board 24 in the Open Room.

Board 24. Dealer West. Love All ª A J 10 7 5 © 8 6 2 ¨ K Q 7 § A 9 ª K 9 2 ª Q 6 4 3 © 7 © A Q 9 4 ¨ A J 9 8 6 ¨ 5 3 § 6 5 4 2 § 10 8 3 ª 8 © K J 10 5 3 ¨ 10 4 2 § K Q J 7

Greco, North declared 4¨ after a notrump opening and a transfer auction. Mallardi doubled the transfer suit and d'Vossa led the ¨5. Mallardi won and continued the suit. He had to decide which was more likely --- that his partner held the K-7-5, Q-7-5, 5-3 or stiff 5. He went with the first and last. When he was wrong, declarer had to find the trump ace onside. He won the second diamond and led a heart to the king. Then he played the ¨J to the queen. A spade to the king and ace and another heart up and it was all over.

The Americans had a great defense to beat a doubled game on Board 26.

Board 26. Dealer East. Game All ª A K 7 6 3 2 © — ¨ A J 3 2 § Q 7 6 ª 5 4 ª J 10 9 8 © A K Q 7 4 © J 8 2 ¨ K 9 5 ¨ Q 10 8 7 6 § A K 8 § 4 ª Q © 10 9 6 5 3 ¨ 4 § J 10 9 5 3 2

Greco overcalled 1¨ with 1ª and doubled when Mallardi bid game. He led the ªA, felling Willeken's queen. Now he had to decide where the setting trick was coming from. He gave his partner a chance to tell him by playing the ¨A, then the ªK. Willeken needed either a singleton or doubleton diamond or the ¨K. He played the }J to relay the message that he had one of the above. Therefore another diamond was played and got ruffed for down one and 3 IMPs.

Several hands had shown the Italian skill, but Board 30 demonstrated how the luck of the Italians was holding.

Board 30. Dealer East. Love All ª Q 9 7 © J 7 4 3 ¨ Q 4 3 § J 8 4 ª 10 3 ª A K J 8 4 2 © A K Q 8 © 6 ¨ A J 9 6 5 ¨ 8 7 2 § 10 7 § A K Q ª 6 5 © 10 9 5 2 ¨ K 10 § 9 6 5 3 2

D'Avossa was not happy when he saw the dummy. Since your reporter does not understand, it is not known who got the system mucked up. The opening lead was a heart. A club brought declarer to hand and he played a diamond. Willenken might have done better to play the king instead of the 10 -- maybe he doesn't know about the other famous Italian who found himself in a similar situation.

The late great Giorgio Belladonna was his name. Through a bidding misunderstanding between him and Benito Garozzo, who lives near Fort Lauderdale now, by the way. They found themselves a level higher than they should have been. The dummy had the §A-Q tight. Belladonna was very angry when he saw the dummy - he saw that he needed the king-ten doubleton onside to make his grand. He played a trump and, lo and behold, Eddie Kantar played the 10! Belladonna held his breath as he played the queen -- and he won the trick. Kantar needed to play his king to give the appearance of a singleton.

Here's another side to this story -- Jim Borin of Australia had a BOLs Brilliancy tip -- play the card you are about to be known to have. That one came too late for Kantar. Garozzo stated afterward that had Kantar played his king he would have played the hand differently and would have indeed gone down. We don't known what this Italian declarer would have done if Willenken had played his king. He just might still be sitting there. This set ended with Italy leading, 120-45.