A paradox in bridge history is that a game that seems to be so unsuited to the Italian temperament ended up being the one that Italy dominated for so many years. This book analyses their story through the diary of Carl’Alberto Perroux, the President of the Italian Bridge Federation from 1952 to 1967. During this period he founded the Blue Team, which was to become the most successful and best-known team in the history of bridge. As Blue Team Captain he won eight Bermuda Bowls, one World Team Olympiad and three European Championships. A trial lawyer in private life (deemed to be the best criminal lawyer of his time in Italy), Perroux was responsible for turning a group of talented individuals into three partnerships and, secondly, a winning team. He was famous for his tough discipline: players who broke the rules were benched, even if it hurt the team in the short term. Regarded as the greatest Captain in history: in the words of Victor Mollo, ‘As the best captain ever, Perroux has no rivals, nor challengers.’