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.