Wednesday, December 28, 2005 11:49 PM

Hand Evaluation – Patterns ( Simple Squeezes )

PITBULLS:

Planning a simple squeeze takes some visualization ( patterns ) with a knowledge of the conditions necessary for a squeeze to operate or you can just fall into them .

Squeezes come about due to the nature of the game of Bridge . The Bridge elements important to squeezes are 1) declarer plays with two hands hers & the dummy 2) Bridge is played in a clockwise order . The two hand advantage for squeezes result in these two hands overwhelm one hand , so like a sandwich or vise squish or squeeze the single hand. Normally, it’s declarer with the dummy that gang up on one victim for a simple squeeze . However , there are defensive squeezes where two defenders can contrive to squeeze declarer !!

The clockwise order of the game of Bridge is important in that it determines who can get squeezed . Clyde love categorizes simple squeezes in accordance with their entry conditions.

A unique way of looking at simple squeezes is written by Clyde Love in his excellent book on Squeezes. He looks at simple squeezes from an “entry” perspective. There are only 3 combinations of entries possible in all simple squeezes so Love classifies them as E1 , E2 and E3. The first entry condition (E1) is the hand opposite the squeeze suit has the entry with the threat in that suit. He also includes the case where this North hand also has a winner in the 2^nd threat suit held by the South hand. This is the entry complication called the “Vienna Coup” . In order for the simple squeeze to operate properly , you must get rid of the winner in the 2^nd threat suit or you “block” yourself and the squeeze fails.

A	A	A	A
K	9	9	K
3	6		5
2	5

You are in 7NT with the club 8 lead which should mark RHO with the QJ10. The club threat is the 9 but the other hand has winners in that suit. You must get them out of the way by cashing them and RHO gets caught in a spade - club simple squeeze.

Q	K	K	9
5	Q	5	3
4	J		2
	10
	2

E2 is described by Love as the only entry to the threat in the North hand is in the suit with the threat held by the South hand. When East is the victim , quite often you execute a “squeeze for the count” & drop honour cards.

A	K	K	10
10	8	6	8
7	4	5	3
		4

You are in 3♥ after LHO has bid clubs and RHO has bid spades. They cash 3 rounds of clubs and switch to the spade King which you duck. They continue spades and you win your Ace. You run all 5 trump discarding 2 diamonds from the board. RHO also discards two diamonds. You lead a diamond to the King and every body follows suit. You lead another diamond and RHO follows. You know he has a spade honour left so you go up with the Ace and drop the diamond queen.

4	A	A	J
3	Q	J	5
	J	2	2
	10
	5

The last entry condition is called E3 : North holds a winner in South’s threat suit & South holds a winner in North’s threat suit. This entry complication is called the criss-cross squeeze.

K	J	7	A
7	8	4	2
3	4	3
	3	2

You are in 7NT with the spade 10 lead. You cash all your majors but must guess by the discards whether they have a stiff King of clubs left. In all criss-cross squeezes this is the guess as you must make a decision.

A	A	A	Q
Q	K	K	6
J	Q	Q
	9
	2

Classifying simple squeezes by their entries exposes the Vienna coup & Criss-cross squeeze for what they are - entry complications. Looking at these squeezes from this entry perspective makes understanding simple squeezes easier.