Tuesday, January 03, 2006 10:18 PM

Compound Squeezes

PITBULLS:

There is an entire class of triple squeezes where the count is rectified at one rather than two as in the normal triple squeeze. Sometimes these are just simple squeezes but with entries fouled up or the threat being in the wrong hand. The fact that one defender must guard 3 suits means that the squeeze works on the 2^nd last squeeze card.

K	A	A	x
x	Q	J	x
x	9
x	x
	x

9 of diamonds lead so you go up with the Ace . You try hearts but RHO shows up with 5 hearts to the 10. Your simple diamond heat squeeze is screwed up due to lack of entries but if RHO also hold spades you have a 3 suit squeeze with the count rectified at one.

You run your clubs and on the 2^nd last club RHO is squeezed in 3 suits as you discard the diamond Jack. RHO has ♠J1098 ♥ 10xx ♦K and must now make a discard . Doomed

A	K	Q	A
Q	J	10	K
x		x	Q
		x	J

The main benefit of these triple squeezes which Love calls compound Squeezes is that they squeeze one defender initially in 3 suits so that he establishes a double squeeze ! A triple squeeze followed by a double squeeze. In other words to borrow a phrase from baseball , the triple squeeze is a setup man for the closer which is the double squeeze.

A	10	K	A
x	x	x	K
x		x	x
		x
		x

The heart 9 led and you have 12 top tricks for your 7NT contract. With the location of the KQ of hearts in RHO’s hand , you may have a simple squeeze if she holds 4 diamonds. What if diamonds are 3-3 and clubs 4-4 ? Since RHO must hold 3 suits and the count is rectified at one , a preliminary triple squeeze will occur against RHO on the 2^nd last squeeze card. This discard will determine what kind of double squeeze will occur on the last squeeze card where both defenders can squeezed.

K	A	A	10
Q	J	x	x
J
x
x
x
x

You run 6 spades and RHO gets squeezed on the 2^nd last spade. Whatever suit RHO gives up will determine the B suit for the double squeeze as partner now must guard the suit partner abandoned. If RHO gives up a diamond , clubs are the B suit and it’s a type R double which will work when the L suit ( diamonds ) are cashed and then back to the last spade for the killer. If RHO gives up on the club suit then the diamond suit is the B suit for a type R double squeeze and you cash the L suit early ( clubs) and back to your hand for the last spade to do the damage.

There are other types of compound squeezes which will turn into a type B double or a type R depending on the victims discards. Love contends that 7NT is cold with this hand , no matter how the cards lay. There will be a squeeze and he proves it mathematically.