Sunday, January 01, 2006 10:03 PM

Hand Evaluation – Declarer Play ( Guard Squeezes )

PITBULLS:

Clyde Love defines guard squeezes as a simple squeeze that does not work due to lack of (E) entry conditions . There are no entries in either of the suits protected by the victim. The guard squeeze involves a 3^rd suit which is the entry suit but the victim is squeezed by setting his partner up for a finesse in that suit. The guard squeeze at best can be called a 3 suit simple squeeze as a 3^rd suit enters the picture. Love calls it a 2 ½ suit simple squeeze.

A	x	A	v
10	x	J	o
x	x	9	i
x		x	d
x
x

The club entries and spade entries are non existent so no simple squeeze. Cash the KQ of spades and the AK of clubs. Run you hearts and East buckles on your 2^nd last heart. With 3 suit squeezes , the count is rectified earlier as the victim must protect 3 suits rather than two.

J	K	Q
x

  East

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

On the 2^nd last heart , East must discard his diamond King so the diamond finesse is now the 13^th trick.

A	x	x	A
K	x	x	7
8		x	2
6		x

Spot cards grow up nicely in guard squeezes. LHO overcalls in spades ,d leads the diamond king overtaken by partner returning a diamond. LHO wins , returns a spade which kills your simple squeeze by removing the entry.

x	A	J	K
	K	x	9
	Q		5
	J		4
	10
	x

Now the only hope is a guard squeeze . You run your tricks , so LHO is dealt the Q10x of clubs but gets squeezed out of all of them . You lead a club to Ace and finesse RHO out of her club jack to make 5 and a top.