Executing a squeeze is one of the most
exciting plays in bridge. Some are difficult but some are
not. See how you would have done with this hand.
East-West vulnerable at matchpoints.
Hand # 9
Dlr
S
Vul
E-W
AKQ2
982
AJ8
A32
J1093
KQJ76
1075
10
85
53
432
987654
764
A104
KQ96
KQJ
West
North
East
South
1NT
Pass
6NT
(All
pass)
BIDDING: A small slam based strictly on high cards requires
around 33-36 points. With fewer points you stop in game and with
more you investigate a grand slam. On this hand, after South
opened 1NT, North counted his high card points and bid the slam.
PLAY: West led the king of hearts and declarer could count 11
tricks: 3 spades, 1 heart, 4 diamonds, and 3 clubs. The 12th
trick would have to come from spades. It appeared that delcarer
needed the outstanding spades to divide 3-3, but there was another
solution. If the person with the long spade suit also held length
in hearts, he could be squeezed. One of the parameters of most
squeeze positions is that you must not leave an "idle" card in the
opponent's hand. Therefore it is necessary to duck the first
heart and win the continuation. After winning the second heart,
declarer played four diamonds and three clubs forcing West to make a
discard from a holding of : S-J1093 H-J. Whichever card he
chose to discard would give declarer his 12th trick.
It is important you see that the first heart must be ducked for
the squeeze to work.
