Saturday, March 27, 2004 1:10 AM
Double Squeezes Revisted
PITBULLS:
Double
Squeezes are not difficult . Here are some generalizations that cover all
double squeezes and squeezes in general. Bridge is played in a clockwise
direction . This simple fact has a profound influence on squeezes. You must
have a threat behind one of the threats for a squeeze to operate . O.K. what is
“behind” and can we use right or left to describe this position. Yes , but we
need a reference point. All doubles squeezes need a B suit ( threat common to both opponents) accompanied by an entry(s) in the B suit. Use the hand that
contains the B threat as a reference point and now you can use “right &
left” for the directions. Right is
the threat to the right of the B suit and Left is the threat to the left of the B suit.
You
must be able to speak the “lingo” of squeezes. Clyde Love defines R & L
relative to the single threat hand . pavlicek defines R & L relative to the
hand that contains the B threat . Confusing yes but essential to learn.
With
our reference point defined , we can make a generalization that is applicable
to all Double Squeezes. The left threat
must be in the hand opposite the B threat. Why ? This is due to the clockwise
nature of the game of Bridge . We want to play after the victim does so we can
execute a positional squeeze. The R threat can be in either hand.
Traditional
Double Squeeze theory has many cases defined and rules to execute double
squeezes for all these different cases. Richard Pavlicek in his article on
double squeezes says he has “one rule which fits all “ .
First cash the right winners*, then cash all the winners in the hand
with the common threat except those in the common suit. |
*Unless this suit
provides the only entry to the hand opposite the common threat.
Pavlicek has many
examples in his article http://www.rpbridge.net/6d81.htm I have not found an example yet where his “one rule
fits all” does not work so this might be a better way to perceive Double
Squeezes. It makes double squeezes easier for me anyway.