Friday, December 03, 2004 2:18 AM
Love On Squeezes II
PITBULLS:
To
continue my quest to simplify Double Squeeze theory for the non mathematicians , lets build from the
basics. There are four suits in
Bridge and for double squeeze purposes we are interested in 3 of these suits. Three suits must have threats for double
squeezes to work , the suit guarded by the right hand opponent (R), the
left hand opponent (L) and both
opponents (B) . These labels ( R )
& (L) need a reference point. These R & L suits are defined by the hand
with the single threat ( very important)
.
Declarer
has two hands to utilize in
executing squeezes ( his own and the dummy ) . Ok with 3
suits and two hands lets enumerate the possible combinations.
All 3 threats in one hand simply does not work . Therefore there are
only 3 combinations involving the two hands. The R threat in one hand with the
L & B threat in the other .
Next , the L threat alone
with the B & R threat in the other hand and lastly the B threat in one hand opposite the L & R
threat. These are the only combinations possible with the
criteria of having one threat in one hand. Dummy & declarers hand
used interchangeably. There is one thing you can not do in any double squeeze
is use the B suit for transportation purposes. The B suit can never be touched.
Its
important to identify the single case that does not work . The type L double squeeze ( the L threat alone )
does not work because of the clockwise nature of the game of Bridge. The
opponents are behind both the L
& R threat so the squeeze is doomed . Therefore, there are only two double squeezes that work Type R and Type B . These squeezes are identified and named by the hand holding
the single threat as the reference
point
For
convenience , Love decided to break up the type B squeezes to B1 and
B2 since they have
different rules for execution . B2 means there are two or more winners in the B suit and B1
means there is only one winner in the B suit . Further the rules differ
slightly depending on whether there are
B winners in both the dummy
and in declarers hand ( still a B1 ) . For B2
squeezes (2nd case )
there are 3 winners in the B suit then and B1 squeezes two
winners but in opposite hands. Remember the reference point and basis for the
definitions is the single threat hand.
The two threat hand is also a
reference point for the type B squeezes. If the two threat hand has a winner in
the B suit also , the rules are different to execute the squeeze.
There
is a generalization for all double squeezes. Despite the order in which you
cash the suits for the various double squeezes , the last winner must lie in the hand opposite the B threat.
For rules of execution lets start with the Type R squeeze first. In these
squeezes, the L suit must be cashed first and the last
winner must be led from the one threat hand ( opposite the B winner ) . That’s
all there is for the Type R’s.
B2
squeezes are the easiest to execute. If there are two or more winners in the B
suit ( split between B threat hand & two threat hand ) the suits F , R
& L may be cashed in any order whatsoever. Further you do not even have to
identify the R & L suits . The fact that they exist is sufficient. In a B2
squeeze without a B winner in the two threat hand, cash in any order but end up
in the hand opposite the B winner. Simple stuff.
The
B1 squeezes have more rigid
rules. You must think in terms of the two threat hand. If the two threat hand has a
B winner also , the last R winner must be cashed before the last Free winner.
You can cash R & L tricks
indiscriminately as long as the last R winner is cashed before the final free squeeze card. If there is no B winner
in the two threat hand , you must
cash your winners in the precise order RFL . As a memory aid Real F..ing Lucky.
This acronym due to Klimo & Dann Kramer.
Double
squeezes also form the basis of compound squeezes. A compound squeeze is a
triple squeeze with the count rectified at one. Since one victim is busy in
three suits he gets squeezed on the 2nd last squeeze card. The card
he discards determines the type of
double squeeze that is executed.