By Matthew Taylor Bermuda played its trump card last night at the opening of the Orbis World Bridge Championships at the Southampton Princess Hotel.

The game, which has just been recognised as an Olympic sport, saw teams arrive from as far as Colombia and Indonesia.

Premier Jennifer Smith said: "Bermuda last hosted the Bermuda Bowl in 1975 on its silver anniversary and I especially appreciate during this Millennium year that Bermuda once again hosts the gala for this anniversary celebration.

"This world event brings together some of the best from some 20 countries. It is very much a world series of the game.'' Event host David Ezekiel remembered the 1975 tournament where he overheard a wife saying to her husband: "Every day you play worse and worse, but today you played like the day after tomorrow.'' Hoping to do better than that was Bermudian national team player Charles Vaucrossen, who has represented the Island in Holland and Italy.

He explained Bermuda would hold its own in the tournament.

"If we play to our standards, we normally finish in the top 20. This year there are only 20 teams, so we should manage that.'' Asked about the appeal of bridge, he said: "I have been playing for 50 years and I enjoy the constant challenge. You have to keep track of the cards and know which are out there and which are not.'' The guests enjoyed entertainment from the Gombeys and the Bermuda Regiment band.