The Perfect Squeeze.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19239, 28 November 1930, Page 6

The Perfect Squeeze.

Auction Bridge.

By A. E. Manning Foster. WHAT CAN BE DONE by squeeze taotics is shown by the following example from actual play. 1 give the bidding and play exactly as they occurred. Y S—9 8 5 H—A K 2 D—Q 9 2 C—B 7 5 3 A B S—A KQIO7 S—T 643 H—B 7 4 H—Q J 10 5 I D—lo 4 D—None €—9 4 2 C—K QJ 6 Z S—2 ll—9 6 D—A KJB7 65 3 C—A 10 Score, game all, love all. A dealt and bid “One Spade”; .Y, “No lsid"; B, “Two Spades”; Z, “Four Diamonds”; A, “Four Spades”; Y, “Six Diamonds”; B, “Double”; all passed. There is little to note about the bidding. B’s support of Spades with no Diamonds and strong Clubs was sound. His double was based on the possibility of making two tricks in his hand, with the further probability that A might make at least one. Y’s support to six Diamonds _ was, of course, risky. But he argued rightly that Z must be short or bare in Spades, and, on his call of four Diamonds should have something outside his long Diamonds. Y held two sure tricks in Hearts, and in the rubber game his bid was quite justifiable. A opened with the King of Spades, and then led a second Spade, which Z ruffed. Z looked like being one down, with a losing Club. But he tried for the squeeze. At the ninth trick, after six rounds of Diamonds, the hands were;— Y S—9 H—A K 2 D—None C—B A B S—A 7 S—None H—B 7 4 H—Q J 1( D—None D—None • C—None C—K O Z S—None If—9 6 D—s ' C—A 10 Z then led his last Diamond. A s discard was easy—the seven of Spades and dummy the Club. But if B threw a Club, Z would make the rest with the Ace and 10 of Clubs and the Ace, King of Hearts. So B gave up a Heart. Z then led the Ace of Clubs and A was done. lie had to unguard the Heart or throw his Ace of Spades. Whichever he did made no difference. Little slam, game and rubber for Z. To achieve the squeeze position it is to be noted Z must lead out all his Diamonds. It is the last one that tells. Many players in a hurry are too ready to resign and forfeit a trick when they think they must lose, because they do not appreciate what can be done by squeeze tactics when the declarer takes accurate note of every discard.