716
Squeeze Plays
A squeeze is when an opponent is forced to discard from their hand either a winning card, a
potential
winning card or a guard card to a winner in any suit.
Definition
A squeeze play or squeeze, is a process, often occurring late in the hand, used when declarer leads a card that forces a defender to discard or unguard a winning card.The principle is that declarer's and dummy's hands can, between them, hold more cards with the potential to take extra tricks than a single defender's hand can protect or conserve.
The Process
An important part of the squeeze play is conceding all the necessary losers in your contract before starting the squeeze.A simple squeeze operates in two suits, as the hand displayed below in instance in hearts and spades.
Sometimes two defenders can cooperate to squeeze the declarer or dummy using the same principle.
Uses
Squeeze plays are considered to be expert plays but many of the ideas are straightforward once the basic principles are understood.Squeeze plays become important in difficult to make high level contracts and in match-point play where the taking of one more trick than generally achieved by the field is likely to deliver a top board.
Example of a Hand for a Squeeze Play
North
West
East
South
Start the Squeeze and Endplay
Finding the QS involves a Squeeze Play and an End Play
1. Draw trumps it may take 3 rounds if the trumps split 3-0.
2. Play your three diamond winners
3. Play the AC
Leaving you with the cards below
North
- ♠ K T 2
- ♥ 9 4
- ♦
- ♣
South
- ♠ A J 7
- ♥ K 2
- ♦
- ♣
4. Lead your low club which must lose
5. Opponents must lead back into the spade suit where you can win whatever is lead
6. The Endplay: If opposition return a diamond or a club you'll get a ruff and spade discard, a ruff and
sluff. If opposition return a spade you will win three spade tricks
Extra for Experts
A different game on the same subject as this lesson, with questions for community discussion in the comments area below.
PLAY