C ly d e

E .

Lo v e s

Bridge Squeezes Complete

P r a c t i c e

H a n d s

If you have purchased a copy of the revised edition of Clyde E. Loves Bridge
Squeezes Complete you will know that these extra deals are designed to allow
you to practice bridge squeezes. The nomenclature used in the following set of
practice deals follows that of the book but is similar to standard nomenclature
which, after all, was invented by Love originally.
I have tried to make the explanations clear enough that even if you have not
purchased the book you should be able to try each deal yourself and then follow
the explanation in the solution. If you are having a lot of difficulty I recommend
that you do purchase a book on squeezes since this document is designed to
provide practice rather than teach the principles.
In Bridge Squeezes Complete, the practice hands are themed by chapter.
However, these extra problems include deals of all types without any particular
theme. This provides you with the same kind of challenge that you would have
when playing bridge, which makes things harder, but I hope more fun and a good
learning experience.
The best line of play on most, but not all, of these deals will require you
to execute a squeeze. However, it is best to approach each problem as bridge
problem rather than squeeze problem, just as you would at the table. In fact, the
best way to play one or two of them does not involve a squeeze at all.
Each deal is presented with an auction. In some cases the contract is not the
optimal the players have taken a shot or had a poor auction and the contract
now needs a squeeze to make. The auctions should not be used as a model for
bidding! Each deal also includes the opening lead and quite often the play to
the first few tricks. The solutions are presented together at the end but through
the magic of links within the PDF you can navigate back and forth between
problems and solutions.
Several people have kindly contributed deals which I have included. They
have been acknowledged (with thanks) in the text for their contribution. All of
us involved in this project truly appreciate their help. Whether or not you have
purchased a copy of Loves Bridge Squeezes Complete, I hope that you enjoy this
chance to practice your squeeze technique.
Practice Exercises | 1 |

Questions and comments can be directed to me at linda@masterpointpress.com.

While I have taken some care to ensure that all the solutions are correct, I am sure
that in these rather complex deals analytical errors still exist. Also there may be
more than one solution, just as there is at the bridge table. This document will
be kept up to date with corrections (and acknowledgments for help provided)
and possibly with some additions in the future.
Linda Lee

| 2 | Bridge Squeezes Complete

Problems
Problem 1
Opening lead: K

75
AK95
J 10 7 4 2
65

AKQ9864
42

A 10 3 2

West
North

pass
1NT*
pass
3
pass
4*
pass
5*
all pass

East
pass
pass
pass
pass
pass

To solution

South
1
3
4*
5*
6

You ruff the opening lead as East plays the 6 (count). There is some work to do
to make this contract. What now?
Problem 2
Opening lead: 6

West

pass
pass
all pass

To solution

AQ75
Q7
8742
AKQ

K6
A9865
A 10
9642

North
1
1
2NT

East
1
pass
pass

South
1
1NT
3NT

East plays the J and you duck. You win the 9 continuation with the A. How
do you play from here?
Practice Exercises | 3 |

Problem 3
Opening lead: K




J 10 5 3

9 8 5

8 4

K Q J 10

West


pass

pass

To solution

762
K 10 3
10 6 3
9864
N

E
S

North
pass
2*
3NT

East
pass
pass
all pass

South
2
2NT

You, West, lead the K, partner plays the 2 and declarer wins the A. Declarer
plays the top three spades and partner shows out on the third round, discarding
the 3. Declarer leads a fourth spade which you win, partner throwing the 7.
How do you proceed?
Problem 4
Opening lead: 5

To solution

A9872
32
92
AJ64

K
AK97
A K Q 10 8 7 6
10

West
North


pass
2

pass
4*

pass
5*

all pass

East
pass
pass
pass
pass

South
2
4*
4NT*
7NT

You should have contented yourself with 7. However, you have twelve tricks in
notrump and where there are twelve there may be thirteen. Your only hope is a
squeeze. East plays the Q at Trick 1 and you win with the K. You play three
rounds of diamonds, discarding a spade from dummy on the third round. Both
defenders follow to two diamonds, then on the third round West discards the 4
and East the 3. How do you continue?
| 4 | Bridge Squeezes Complete

Problem 5
Opening lead: 6

Q7
62
742
AKQ984

A95
K Q 10
AKQ6
J 10 2

West
North
East


2*
2*
pass

pass
5*
pass

all pass

To solution

South
1
4NT*
6

You find yourself in a decent 6 contract. You draw trumps in three rounds.
West discards the 3 and the 4. You lead a heart towards your hand, and West
wins the A and plays the 8 back. You try diamonds but West shows out on the
third round discarding the 4. What is your plan from here?
Problem 6
Opening lead: 9

West
pass
pass
pass

To solution

53
10 9 8 7 4 3
8
AK73

K 10 2
AKQ2
AJ74
54

North
pass
2*
4

East
1
pass
all pass

South
1NT
3

East wins the A and switches to the Q. You win the K and try a heart, but
East discards the 4. Even though you are only in 4, can you make twelve
tricks?

Practice Exercises | 5 |

Problem 7
Opening lead: 2

West
pass
pass

KQJ
4
A 10 5 4 2
A965

743
A Q 10 9 6 3
873
8

North
1
pass

East
1NT
dbl

To solution

South
4
all pass

East wins the spade lead with the A and returns the K, which you win with
the A. You play a heart to the 10, which holds as West plays the 7. Maybe
you got carried away when you bid 4, but its up to you to make it now.
Problem 8
Opening lead: 5

A75
AK42
AK3
632

2
73
Q974
AKQJ94

West
North
East


pass
1
2

pass
4NT
pass

pass
7
all pass

To solution

South
1
3
5*

You win the club and draw trumps in four rounds. West follows, but East discards
the 8, 3 and 4 and then the 10, and you discard the 5 from dummy. You
cash the top diamonds. Everyone follows to the first two rounds but West shows
out on the third, discarding the 6. You are still a trick short. What now?

| 6 | Bridge Squeezes Complete

Problem 9
Opening lead: 4









West


pass

pass

pass

all pass

10 8 4 3
8
KQJ8
KQJ3

AK
KQ95
A95
A954

North
1
1
3
5*

East
pass
pass
pass
pass

To solution

South
1
2*
4NT
6NT

This deal was played by David Turner in a Canadian Team Championships, and
analyzed by his partner, Roy Hughes. (This is not the actual bidding, which
involved an artificial auction.) How do you make 6NT?
Problem 10
Opening lead: 3

To solution

A 10 8 6 2
A3
QJ7652

AKJ2
KQ3
Q 10 5
AK8

West
North


pass
2*

pass
3*

pass
4*

pass
5NT*

East
pass
pass
pass
pass
pass

South
2
2NT
3NT*
4*
7

You win the club lead in hand as East discards the 3. If hearts break you have
your contract, so you continue to draw trumps. On the next two clubs, East
discards the 9 and the 2. How do you plan to play to give yourself the best
chance if hearts do not run?
Practice Exercises | 7 |

Problem 11
Opening lead: 8

J9
K4
QJ643
AK93

K Q 10 5
A Q 10 8 3 2

J84

West
North


pass
2*

pass
3*

pass
3NT

all pass

East
1
pass
pass
pass

To solution

South
1
2*
3*
6

You play the Q, East covers with the A, and you ruff. You play three rounds of
trumps and East discards the 2 on the third. What is your plan?
Problem 12
Opening lead: A

To solution

KQ53
A 10 9 6
K 10 8
A6

8
KQ7532
A63
J83

West
North
East


1
2NT*
pass

pass
4*
pass

pass
4
all pass

South
1
3*
4*

West wins Trick 1 with the A and continues with the J, which you win in
dummy. Can you now make twelve tricks?

| 8 | Bridge Squeezes Complete

Problem 13
Opening lead: K

A K Q 10
AQ8
65
AK42

K J 10 9 6 2
A 10 3
7653

To solution

West
North
East


pass
2NT*
pass

pass
4NT
pass

all pass

South
2
3
6*

You have twelve top tricks so you are playing for an overtrick. You win the A
and draw trumps in two rounds with the J and the A. Now what?
Problem 14
Opening lead: Q

3

A 9 7 6 4

J 4 3

A 8 6 4

N
W
E

S



West
North
East


2
3
3

pass
pass
dbl

4
5
dbl

To solution

AK97654
Q5
10 8 6 2

South
1
4
pass
all pass

Declarer plays low from dummy. As East, plan the defense.

Practice Exercises | 9 |

Problem 15
Opening lead: 3

To solution

West


all pass

Q642
A74
KQ4
J64

95
K Q 10 6
A975
AKQ

North
pass

East
3

South
3NT

This hand was provided by Li-Chung Chen. It was played in the Blue Ribbon
Pairs and this was the auction at his table. East wins the K and returns the 10,
covered by the J and Q. How many tricks can you take?
Problem 16
Opening lead: 10

AQ76
A8
KQJ74
AQ

K5
K Q 10 6
A 10
96542

West
North
East


pass
2*
pass

pass
3
pass

pass
4*
pass

pass
5*
dbl

pass
7NT
all pass

To solution

South
1NT1
2
3NT
4*
5

1. 12-14.

This hand was defended by Michael Bodell in a Regional Open Pairs at an NABC
in San Diego. After the lead-directing double it is pretty clear that you should
rise with the A. You now have twelve tricks and are in search of a thirteenth.
What is your plan?
| 10 | Bridge Squeezes Complete

Problem 17
Opening lead: Q

986
A6
A K Q 10 6 2
74

A5
K97
J74
AQ986

West
North
East


pass
4*
pass

pass
5*
pass

pass
6NT
all pass

To solution

South
1NT1
4
5

1. 15-17.

This deal was played by Michael Bodell who was partnered by Martha Hawley,
both of California, in a Regional knockout event. They needed a good score
here to win their match. You duck the opening lead. The 10 continuation goes
to the K and the A. You cross to dummy with a diamond and take the club
finesse, which works. How do you continue?
Problem 18
Opening lead: 5

To solution

AK74
A74
Q J 10 3 2
2

63
K 10 5
A98
AKQ64

West
North
East


pass
4
pass

pass
7NT
all pass

South
1NT
4

This hand was played by Van Lewis in a practice session. Anyway, your partner,
who was hard of hearing, thought you opened 2NT. Even so, it is a mystery why
he decided to bid 7NT, but it is up to you to make it. You win the spade lead as
East contributes the 10. You are definitely going to need the diamond finesse
so you start off with three rounds of diamonds. West follows to the first two and
throws the 2 on the third one. What now?
Practice Exercises | 11 |

Problem 19
Opening lead: 6

52
K 10 3
AKQ7632
Q

AJ7
QJ2
94
AK754

West
North
East


pass
2
pass

pass
4NT*
pass

pass
6NT
all pass

To solution

South
1
3
5

Without a spade lead this hand would be no trouble, but now it looks pretty
hopeless. East plays the Q and you win the A. Time to put on a brave face and
lead a heart. You lead a small heart towards dummys K103 and it is ducked.
You know you will not be able to steal another heart trick. This problem was
provided by David Flower of the Banbury Bridge Club in the United Kingdom.
He played the hand and made the contract. Can you?
Problem 20
Opening lead: 8

To solution

J9
K4
QJ643
AK93

K Q 10 5
A Q 10 8 3 2

J84

West
North


pass
2

pass
3

pass
4NT

all pass

East
1
pass
pass
pass

South
1
2
4
6

You play the J and East covers with the K, which you ruff. You draw trumps in
three rounds, East discarding a diamond on the third. Over to you.
| 12 | Bridge Squeezes Complete

Solutions
Solution 1
Opening lead: K
7 5

A K 9 5

J 10 7 4 2

6 5

J 3

Q 10 3 N
W
E

K Q 9 5 3
S

J 7 4


A K Q 9 8 6

4 2



A 10 3 2

West
North


pass
1NT*

pass
3

pass
4*

pass
5*

all pass

East
pass
pass
pass
pass
pass

To Problem

10 2
J876
A86
KQ98

South
1
3
4*
5*
6

You ruff the opening lead as East plays the 6 (count). After the diamond lead
you still have chances. A club ruff will be your eleventh trick and there may be
a squeeze for the twelfth. You start by cashing the A and playing another club.
West wins and returns a trump. On the 5 East plays the 10 and you win the
A.
You play a club and ruff it in dummy. You ruff a diamond to hand and play a
high trump as both opponents follow to all these tricks.
If either opponent holds three diamonds you can isolate the diamond guard
to that hand. The play in the diamond suit suggests that East started with an
odd number of diamonds and that the suit is probably splitting 5-3 one way or
the other.
It cant hurt to cross to dummy on a heart and ruff another diamond. You
play a heart to the A and on the diamond, East plays the ace as you ruff. Lets
give West five diamonds then. If West has the club guard you cannot make the
hand. You lack the E (entry) of BLUE to the North hand. There can be no
triple squeeze against West because if he has four clubs he can only have two
hearts. So you need East to have the club guard. Now you have a Type R double
squeeze with the following threats:
Practice Exercises | 13 |

Right:
Left:
Common:

10
10
9

Run the last two spades. On the second spade, first West and then East has to
give up the heart guard or unguard the suit that he alone guards.
Notice that you need a diamond lead to make the slam. The diamond lead
gives you the timing you need to ruff out Easts diamond guard and still retain an
entry to dummy in the double squeeze ending.
Thank you to reader Rainer Hermann for his corrections to this text.
Solution 2
Opening lead: 6

A Q 7 5

Q 7

8 7 4 2

A K Q

J 10 8 3

J 4 2 N
W
E

6 5
S

J 8 7 5


K 6

A 9 8 6 5

A 10

9 6 4 2

West


pass

pass

all pass

North
1
1
2NT

East
1
pass
pass

To Problem

942
K 10 3
KQJ93
10 3

South
1
1NT
3NT

East plays the J and you duck. You win the 9 continuation with the A.
The return of the 9 (suggesting a preference to hearts rather than spades)
and the bidding both imply that East holds the K. If you can strip East you can
throw him in with a diamond eventually to lead a heart from the K. You play
three rounds of clubs, and East throws a heart on the third. Next you play three
rounds of spades, East following. Now you have a complete count unless East
started with the J too, and threw a heart from Kx at his first discard (in which
case he deserves to win this board!), his remaining cards must be the Kx and
three diamonds. You throw him in with a diamond and will eventually make a
trick with the Q.

| 14 | Bridge Squeezes Complete

Solution 3
Opening lead: K

7 6 2

K 10 3

10 6 3

9 8 6 4

J 10 5 3

9 8 5 N
W
E

8 4
S

K Q J 10


A K Q 9

A 4 2

A K 5 2

A 7

West


pass

pass

North
pass
2*
3NT

East
pass
pass
all pass

To Problem

84
QJ76
QJ97
532

South
2
2NT

You, West, lead the K, partner plays the 2 and declarer wins the A. Declarer
plays the top three spades and partner shows out on the third round, discarding
the 3. Declarer leads a fourth spade which you win, partner throwing the 7.
Since you are practicing squeezes, you probably considered the possible
downside of cashing your club winners. Partner has some diamond values and
likely something in hearts too. Playing clubs now will only make things harder
for partner.
If you cash even one more club, partner will have to come down to three
diamonds. Even if you switch now, declarer can concede a diamond trick to
partner, who cannot reach your hand for your club winners. If you play all your
club winners, partner will be subject to a suicide squeeze. When you play the last
club your partner will have to give up one of the red suits.
Your best bet is to exit with a red card when in with the J. Lets say you exit
with a diamond, won by declarer. This is the ending:

Practice Exercises | 15 |




K 10 3

10 6

9 8



9 8 5 N
W
E

4
S

Q J 10




A 4 2

A 5 2

7

QJ6
QJ9
5

Declarer continues with a club but you have figured this all out by now. You
continue diamonds. Declarer tries the effect of crossing to dummy with a heart
and leading the dummys last club. You win the club and once more you do not
lead another club. Your restraint will beat the contract.
Solution 4
Opening lead: 5
A 9 8 7 2

3 2

9 2

A J 6 4

J 10 6 5 4


Q 10 5 N

W
E

J 4

S

K 7 5



K

A K 9 7

A K Q 10 8 7 6

10

West
North


pass
2

pass
4*

pass
5*

all pass

East
pass
pass
pass
pass

To Problem

Q3
J864
53
Q9832

South
2
4*
4NT*
7NT

East plays the Q at Trick 1 and you win with the K. You play three rounds of
diamonds, discarding a spade from dummy on the third round. Both defenders
follow to two diamonds, then on the third round West discards the 4 and East
the 3.
| 16 | Bridge Squeezes Complete

It seems unlikely that West has the KQ, or he might well have led that
suit. If East has both clubs, then you have a Type C2 double squeeze with these
threats:
Right:
Left:
Common:

J
9
9

If the club honors are divided (as is the case in the diagram), there looks to be a
Type L unrestricted compound squeeze with the 9 as the Basic threat, and the
J and 9 as the Ambiguous threats. So you run off the diamonds. Happily this
will work for the C2 double squeeze too. You run five rounds of diamonds to
arrive at this ending:

A 9

3 2



A J 6

J 10

Q 10 5 N
W
E


S

K 7




A K 9 7

7 6

10

J864

Q98

On the next diamond West has to abandon either hearts or clubs. Lets assume
that he throws a club. This sets up a Type C2 double squeeze with these
threats:
Right:
Left:
Common:

J
9
9

You finish the diamond suit and then cash the two black aces to complete the
squeeze. When this deal actually came up in play, seeing that there was no
chance unless his partner held the Q, West threw all his clubs (as most players
would do). Declarer smoothly completed the double squeeze. If East held the
KQ, the discards would be similar, and the double squeeze would continue on
the same lines. So you get a twofer.
On the deal as shown, however, if West is thoroughly familiar with the
various types of double squeeze, he can come up with a better defense. He can
Practice Exercises | 17 |

see very easily what will happen if he abandons clubs, so he should yield hearts
to create a Type R double squeeze with these threats:
Right:
Left:
Common:

9
9
J

It would appear that this will fail since you cant cash the Left winner, the A.
(Try it, trading the 9 for the 8.)
Fortunately, if West holds two of the top three missing hearts (as is the
case here the Q and the 10 from QJ10) then there is another squeeze
available.

A 9

3 2



A J

J 10

Q 10 N
W
E


S

K 7




A K 9 7

6

10

J864

Q9

You play the last diamond, intending to discard a heart (if you have already
thrown a heart, you are fresh out of luck). When the 10 comes thundering
down, it looks as if West has two spades, two clubs and a heart honor remaining.
So pitch the spade threat instead its work is done. Cash the A, cross to the
A and play the A. Now a heart finesse brings the contract home.
When the compound blows up, the double guard comes to the rescue.
Against correct defense, the key card is that insignificant-looking 9.

| 18 | Bridge Squeezes Complete

Solution 5
Opening lead:6

Q 7

6 2

7 4 2

A K Q 9 8 4

K J 8 4 3
10 6 2

A J 9 4 3 N
8 7 5
W
E

8 5
J 10 9 3
S

6

7 5 3

A 9 5

K Q 10

A K Q 6

J 10 2

West
North
East


2*
2*
pass

pass
5*
pass

all pass

To Problem

South
1
4NT*
6

You draw trumps in three rounds. West discards the 3 and the 3. You lead a
heart towards your hand and West wins the A and plays the 8 back. You try
diamonds but West shows out on the third round, discarding the 4.
On the auction it seems that West probably has the J and the K. If so, you
have a simple squeeze but you will need to cash the A (Vienna Coup). After
playing the A you ruff a diamond to dummy and run all the clubs, throwing
spades from your hand. West will be squeezed on the last club.
What happens if West ducks the A? The contract can still be made on a
strip and endplay and this time you are not going to cash the A. Your plan is to
play off all your minor-suit winner, arriving at a three-card ending. You will hold
the A and another, and a high heart.
West has to hold two spades or you can cash the A and your Q will be
good, so he comes down to the A alone. Now you throw him in on a heart to
complete the endplay.

Practice Exercises | 19 |

Solution 6
Opening lead: 9

5 3

10 9 8 7 4 3

8

A K 7 3

9 8 6
A Q J 7 4

J 6 5 N

W
E

10 6 5 2
K Q 9 3
S

10 6 2

Q J 9 8

K 10 2

A K Q 2

A J 7 4

5 4

West
pass
pass
pass

North
pass
2*
4

East
1
pass
all pass

To Problem

South
1NT
3

East wins the A and switches to the Q. You win the K and try a heart, but
East discards the 4.
You have eleven tricks and the bad trump break prevents you ruffing a club for
twelve. You draw trumps in three rounds, and by the third round East is already
the victim of a ruffing triple squeeze. If he throws a diamond, the diamonds can
be ruffed out. If he throws a club, the clubs set up, and he must hold two spades
or the 10 is high. It should be pretty easy to work out what he has done since
he is unable to create any real ambiguity.
Perhaps the best line, after drawing three rounds of trump, is to ruff a diamond
and then ruff a club. If East has discarded a club on the third heart, clubs will
now be good. You now ruff a diamond and if he discarded a diamond on the third
round of hearts your diamonds will now be good. Of course, if East has discarded
all his spades your spades are high.
Notice that if West had the long club, East must have long diamonds. As
a result, you will make the hand on a diamond-spade squeeze even if West
started with a diamond honor. After you ruff the last diamond you play off your
remaining trump in dummy and East will be squeezed. If East started with long
clubs and West has a diamond honor the spade-club squeeze will operate.
Thanks to reader Rainer Herrmann for providing additional insight into this
deal.

| 20 | Bridge Squeezes Complete

Solution 7
Opening lead: 2

K Q J

4

A 10 5 4 2

A 9 6 5

10 6 5 2


7 N

W
E

Q 6

S

J 10 7 4 3 2



7 4 3

A Q 10 9 6 3

8 7 3

8

West
pass
pass

North
1
pass

East
1NT
dbl

To Problem

A98
KJ852
KJ9
KQ

South
4
all pass

East wins the spade lead with the A and returns the K, which you win with
the A. You play a heart to the 10, which holds as West plays the 7.
This deal is an example of trump elopement (you make your small trump by
ruffing) and an endplay in the trump suit. You continue by using your winners
in dummy as entries to ruff clubs in hand. From the opening lead it seems like
East will have three spades (possibly four). You start by playing a spade to the
K. You ruff a club. Cross again in spades and ruff another club as East throws
a diamond. You cross on a diamond to ruff the fourth club. East throws his last
diamond and is now down to all trumps. You exit with a diamond and wait for
East to lead into the AQ. Underruffing wouldnt help East sooner or later,
since your AQ is over East, you will score two tricks with your tenace.
However, it is true that East can defeat the contract by playing back a
diamond at Trick 2. A spade continuation wont work the hand plays out
the same way as after a club switch. But when East returns a diamond you have
to release the A too soon. You need to use the spades as entries early or East
can throw away his spades on the club ruffs. If you try to play on similar lines
(cashing the spades before the second club ruff) you are an entry short. But East
has to be very careful to avoid getting endplayed and must keep his exits. This
is like any trump coup situation East must keep side winners and make sure to
shorten his trumps to defeat the contract. Try it on this double-dummy line.

Practice Exercises | 21 |

Solution 8
Opening lead: 5

A 7 5

A K 4 2

A K 3

6 3 2

Q 9 6

Q J 10 5 N
W
E

8 6
S

10 8 7 5


2

7 3

Q 9 7 4

A K Q J 9 4

West
North
East


pass
1
2

pass
4NT
pass

pass
7
all pass

To Problem

K J 10 8 4 3
986
J 10 5 2

South
1
3
5*

You win the club and draw trumps in four rounds. West follows, but East discards
the 8, 3 and 4 and then the 10, and you discard the 5 from dummy. You
cash the top diamonds. Everyone follows to the first two rounds but West shows
out on the third, discarding the 6.
On the auction and play it appears that East is 6-3-4-0. If you isolate the
heart guard you will have a double squeeze with threats:
Right:
Left:
Common:

9
4
7

If you prefer you can play a ruffing double squeeze instead. This is the ending in
either case:

| 22 | Bridge Squeezes Complete


A 7

A K 4 2





Q 9

Q J 10 5 N
W
E


S




2

7 3

9

9 4

KJ
986
J

The heart threat is the ruffing threat. After cashing the diamonds instead of
playing hearts, you lead a club. West is now squeezed. He cannot throw a heart
or you will ruff out the suit, so he must throw a spade. You discard a heart from
dummy and East can discard a heart. East is now solely guarding diamonds and
spades and you have a simple squeeze on East. You cash the top hearts and ruff a
heart to hand. East is squeezed on that heart ruff quite a pretty ending.

Practice Exercises | 23 |

Solution 9
Opening lead: 4

10 8 4 3

8

K Q J 8

K Q J 3

J 9 6 5 2

J 10 6 2 N
W
E

4 2
S

10 8


A K

K Q 9 5

A 9 5

A 9 5 4

West


pass

pass

pass

all pass

North
1
1
3
5*

East
pass
pass
pass
pass

To Problem

Q7
A743
10 7 6 3
762

South
1
2*
4NT
6NT

Even if the A is onside, you have only eleven tricks. You need to envision a
lie of the cards that will allow you to make twelve. You could hope the A is
doubleton or that West has the doubleton J10, but these seem faint chances.
Suppose that West has the spade guard and the J10 any number of times. Your
plan is to play off all of your winners ending in dummy and then lead a heart.
If you are not familiar with the concept of this kind of squeeze, it may be
hard to imagine. You win the diamond lead and run the rest of the diamonds
followed by three rounds of clubs. Then you cash the A and K to reach this
ending:

| 24 | Bridge Squeezes Complete


10 8

8



K

J

J 10 6 N
W
E


S






K Q 9



9

To Problem

A743

If West throws the J on the last club, dummys spades are good; if he throws a
heart, the jack and ten fall under the king and queen, and declarers nine is the
slam-going trick a vise squeeze. The elementary form of the vise has the king
and ten, as the two plates of the vise, compressing the queen and jack. This
example is an extended form. The vise is an unusual position in that after the
squeeze card is played, there is no quick entry in either hand.
Notice that if you lead a heart early in the hand and East ducks, the squeeze
will fail. You do not have any communication after cashing all your winners.
But when you play the heart at Trick 11, East is down to all hearts, and he
provides the communication to the South hand if needed.

Practice Exercises | 25 |

Solution 10
Opening lead: 3



A 10 8 6 2

A 3

Q J 7 6 5 2

8 7 6 4

4 N
W
E

J 8 7 4
S

10 9 4 3


A K J 2

K Q 3

Q 10 5

A K 8

West
North


pass
2*

pass
3S*

pass
4*

pass
5NT*

East
pass
pass
pass
pass
pass

To Problem

Q 10 9 5 3
J975
K962

South
2
2NT
3NT*
4*
7

You win the club lead in hand as East discards the 3. If hearts break you have
your contract, so you continue to draw trumps. On the next two clubs, East
discards the 9 and 2. What is the best chance if hearts do not run?
It appears from the discards that East has the K. If East has the heart and
spade guards too (as he does) he is actually triple-squeezed on the fourth trump.
There are two threats opposite the squeeze suit.
You play the fourth trump, throwing a diamond. Throwing a red card is
likely to give the show away very fast, so East will likely discard another spade.
You cross to dummy on a heart to test spades and when the Q comes home you
have your contract. Suppose that West actually has spades guarded and the Q
does not fall. You cash the A (for clarity) and play the last trump. East will be
squeezed in the red suits. (Try it by switching the Q for a small spade.)

| 26 | Bridge Squeezes Complete

Solution 11
Opening lead: 8

J 9

K 4

Q J 6 4 3

A K 9 3

7 6 4 2


J 9 5 N

W
E

8 7 5

S

10 7 5



K Q 10 5

A Q 10 8 3 2



J 8 4

West
North


pass
2*

pass
3*

pass
3NT

all pass

East
1
pass
pass
pass

To Problem

A83
76
A K 10 9 2
Q62

South
1
2*
3*
6

You play the Q, East covers with the A, and you ruff. You play three rounds of
trumps and East discards the 2 on the third.
East has the K and likely the A and Q as well. You start by knocking out
the A. East wins and returns the 8. You win in hand and play off your spade
winners to arrive at this position:





J 6

A K 9



N
W
E

8 7 5
S

10 7




10 8



J 8 4

A 10
Q62

When you play a heart you throw a club from dummy to complete the ruffing
squeeze. If East discards a diamond you can set up a diamond winner; if a club,
you can cash clubs, returning to hand with a diamond ruff.
Practice Exercises | 27 |

Solution 12
Opening lead: A

K Q 5 3

A 10 9 6

K 10 8

A 6

A J 10 7 6

J 4 N
W
E

Q 9 7
S

K 4 2


8

K Q 7 5 3 2

A 6 3

J 8 3

To Problem

West
North
East


1
2NT*
pass

pass
4*
pass

pass
4
all pass

942
8
J542
Q 10 9 7 5

South
1
3*
4*

West wins Trick 1 with the A and continues with the J, which you win in
dummy.
With eleven tricks available there might be a squeeze for twelve. It is almost
certain that West solely guards spades; if he also guards diamonds you have a
simple squeeze. But in any case you have a Type L compound squeeze regardless
of the diamond position. Discard a club on the K and run the trumps.
West has to hold on to two spades and will have to give up one of the minor
suits. This is the position as you lead the second last heart

Q 5



K 10 8

A 6

J 7

N
W
E

Q 9 7
S

K 4




7 5

A 6 3

J 8

| 28 | Bridge Squeezes Complete

J54
Q 10 9

If West gives up diamonds, North does as well. You have a Type R double squeeze
with threats:
Right:
Left:
Common:

6
5
6

Cross to dummy on a diamond, cash the Q and then play a diamond back to
hand. The 5 will squeeze both defenders.
If he tosses a club, East is now guarding clubs, West spades and both defenders
guard diamonds. You throw a heart and a diamond from dummy on the two
hearts and West will probably also throw another club. Now you cross to dummy
with a diamond and play the top club. West will have to give up diamonds, the
Common suit. You cash the Q, finishing the squeeze, as East has no choice but
to give up diamonds as well.
Check out what happens if you cash the Q at Trick 3, forcing you to make
a discard from the South hand. Suppose you discard another club and run hearts
as before. West gives up clubs and you discard a diamond from dummy on the
second last heart.
Right:
Left:
Common:

6
10
3

This is a Type C1 double squeeze and if this is to work the last Right suit winner
must be cashed before the last Free winner this is impossible now. If you
discard a diamond, West will abandon diamonds and you will have the same
problem. You can try it by discarding clubs or diamonds but whatever you do
there is no squeeze. You need that second winner in the North hand so that you
do not have to make a decision about which minor to discard from the South
hand until after West has abandoned a minor suit. You have alternate threats in
both minors so you can always set up a double squeeze that will work if you defer
this decision.

Practice Exercises | 29 |

Solution 13
Opening lead: K

A K Q 10

A Q 8

6 5

A K 4 2

8 5 3 2

7 5 N
W
E

K Q J 9
S

Q 9 8




K J 10 9 6 2

A 10 3

7 6 5 3

West
North
East


pass
2NT*
pass

pass
4NT
pass

all pass

To Problem

J9764
43
8742
J 10

South
2
3
6*

You have twelve top tricks so you are playing for an overtrick. You win the A
and draw trumps in two rounds with the J and A.
There are quite a few possible lines. One alternative is just to play for the
clubs to break 3-2 once the hearts split. In that case you cash the top spades,
throwing club, and ruff a club. You enter dummy with a heart to cash your
established club winner.
Another alternative is to play for a squeeze. Lets say you start along the
same lines. Both defenders follow to the spades but on the first club a defender
drops a high club honor. If East drops a high club honor you can try to squeeze
West. If West has diamonds guarded as in the diagram, you run trumps and he
will be squeezed in diamonds and clubs.
You can hedge your bets a bit by ruffing the 10 after cashing the A. If
East shows out on the spade, that suggests he has club length, and whether he
has three or four clubs the squeeze will work if he has the QJ. In the end you
will have to make some decisions but happily on this deal the two most likely
choices will both work.

| 30 | Bridge Squeezes Complete

Solution 14
Opening lead: Q

3

A 9 7 6 4

J 4 3

A 8 6 4

10 8 2

N
W
E

K Q 9 7
S

Q J 10 7 5 2


Q J

K J 10 8 3 2

A 5

K 9 3

West
North
East


2
3
3

pass
pass
dbl

4
5
dbl

To Problem

AK97654
Q5
10 8 6 2

South
1
4
pass
all pass

Declarer plays low from dummy. You ruff the first club (after all, partner might
have seven of them). Now what? You could try a low spade, hoping partner has
the Q, but that fails spectacularly here. Surely partner must have diamonds for
his overcall Can it hurt to cash the A and play a diamond through? Yes it
can!
If you cash the spade, you have just completed BLUE for declarer, and partner
will be squeezed in the minors on the run of the hearts. Playing a diamond back
at Trick 2 can never hurt (where is dummys spade loser going?), and on this
layout is the winning play.
Refusing to ruff the first club doesnt help, by the way, even though you are
in theory ruffing a loser. Declarer wins with the K, draws trumps, and gives up
a spade. Now he can win the diamond return, ruff a spade in dummy and run all
the trumps. West gets squeezed on the second-last heart, and declarer can set up
an eleventh trick in whichever minor West abandons.
On this deal from the 2009 Bermuda Bowl final, East-West can actually
make twelve tricks in spades, but who could tell that on the auction?

Practice Exercises | 31 |

Solution 15
Opening lead: 3

To Problem

Q642
A74
KQ4
J64

A J 8 7 3

J 9 5 3 N
W
E

J 10 6 3
S




9 5


K Q 10 6


A 9 7 5


A K Q

West


all pass

North
pass

East
3

K 10
82
82
10 9 8 7 5 3 2

South
3NT

East wins the K and returns the 10, covered by the J and Q. You can now
take twelve tricks. On three rounds of clubs, West is caught in a triple squeeze
for a gain of two tricks. West can throw spades on the first two clubs but on
the third club he has to give up a guard. If he gives up hearts or diamonds, the
squeeze repeats. If he gives up spades, you gain two tricks. Notice that if dummy
did not have a two-trick menace in spades, the squeeze would only produce one
trick because West could give up spades and you would not have U (Upper) for
the second squeeze.
Solution 16
Opening lead: 10

A Q 7 6

A 8

K Q J 7 4

A Q

9 8 4 3 2

J 9 5 4 3 N
W
E

9 8
S

10


K 5

K Q 10 6

A 10

9 6 5 4 2

| 32 | Bridge Squeezes Complete

To Problem

J 10
72
6532
KJ873


West
North
East


pass
2*
pass

pass
3
pass

pass
4*
pass

pass
5*
dbl

pass
7NT
all pass

South
1NT1
2
3NT
4*
5

1. 12-14.

This hand was defended by Michael Bodell in a Regional Open Pairs at an NABC
in San Diego. After the lead-directing double it is pretty clear that you should
rise with the A. You now have twelve tricks and are in search of a thirteenth.
There is bound to be a simple squeeze after the lead of the 10 assuming East
has the K and (in one case) the J for the double. But you may have to guess
which squeeze to play for.
You start by running diamonds and throwing clubs from your hand. If, as on
the layout, West has both majors, he will be squeezed on the run of the diamonds.
If East has both majors he will be triple squeezed and his demise will come a trick
earlier.
Suppose that East guards clubs and one major. After running diamonds you
will have to play winners in the opposite major to squeeze East. You will therefore
have to decide which squeeze to play for. (You can cash one high honor in each
suit first for hints just make sure you cash the honor in the short suit, i.e. the
K and the A.) If you play East for the spade guard then when you run hearts
you have to throw the Q from dummy. So for this squeeze to work, East must
hold the K and the J. When East is holding the heart guard, the J can be in
either defenders hand. So if you have no idea which suit East is guarding, then
you may wish to play for him to be holding hearts.
Would you have played the hand any differently without the double? If
the 10 was led you would think long and hard about taking the finesse but
as an expert squeeze player you would surely make the assumption that West
was not leading away from a king against a grand slam, and play for a squeeze.
But without the double, a club lead is much less likely. Suppose West leads a
diamond. You would run the diamonds, and a funny thing happens when you
do that. In order to keep guards in both majors West must throw all of his clubs.
Now if you lead a club planning to take the finesse West will give the show away
and be squeezed on the A to boot.

Practice Exercises | 33 |

Solution 17
Opening lead: Q
9 8 6

A 6

A K Q 10 6 2

7 4

Q J 10 7 3 2
K 4

J 8 2 N
Q 10 5 4 3
W
E

8
9 5 3
S

J 5 3

K 10 2

A 5

K 9 7

J 7 4

A Q 9 8 6

West
North
East


pass
4*
pass

pass
5*
pass

pass
6NT
all pass

To Problem

South
1NT
4
5

1. 15-17.

You duck the opening lead. The 10 continuation goes to the K and the A.
You cross to dummy with a diamond and take the club finesse, which works.
It seems certain that West has the J and therefore guards spades. If East
solely guards clubs then there is a Type R double squeeze, with North, the singlethreat hand, holding the Right threat. Just run diamonds. The last diamond
will simultaneously squeeze East and West. East will have to abandon hearts to
hold on to clubs and West will either have to abandon spades or give up the last
heart guard.
As is more likely, on the actual deal both defenders guard hearts and clubs.
You have an unrestricted Type R compound squeeze. The 9 is the Basic threat
and the two Ambiguous threats in clubs and hearts lie in the opposite hand.
West has a problem on the second last diamond. He is triple-squeezed and
must give up spades, leading to immediate defeat, or either hearts or clubs. If he
discards a club we have the same Type R double squeeze described above. If he
discards a heart there is a Type R double squeeze with clubs as the Common suit.
The defenders did have a chance to defeat the contract but it is very hard
to see at the table even for an expert squeeze defender. Declarer must duck the
opening spade lead to rectify the count. If West switches to a small heart at Trick
2 the squeeze will fail. West can abandon clubs and East will abandon hearts. As
before, declarer throws the useless 9, which has served the purpose of squeezing
East. But now when declarer cashes the A to squeeze West he does not have
the communications to get back to dummy for a potential spade winner so the
squeeze fails. Try it.
| 34 | Bridge Squeezes Complete

Solution 18
Opening lead: 5
A K 7 4

A 7 4

Q J 10 3 2

2

Q 9 8 5 2

Q 9 2 N
W
E

7 4
S

J 7 3


6 3

K 10 5

A 9 8

A K Q 6 4

West
North
East


pass
4
pass

pass
7NT
all pass

To Problem

J 10
J863
K65
10 9 8 5

South
1NT
4

You win the spade lead as East contributes the 10. You are definitely going to
need the diamond finesse so you start off with three rounds of diamonds. West
follows to the first two and throws the 2 on the third one.
West almost certainly has five spades from the play to the first four tricks. If
East has the club guard then you have a Type C1 double squeeze with threats:
Right:
Left:
Common:

6
7
10

You cash clubs early and then your spade and diamond winners. On the last
diamond, East has to give up hearts. You pitch your club and West is squeezed
in spades and hearts.
As it turns out this deal has an alternate line. You can also play it as a Type
R double squeeze with the 7 as the Common threat.
Right:
Left:
Common:

7
6
7

If you follow this approach you start by cashing the A and diamonds, throwing
a heart and a club from your hand On the last diamond East is squeezed and has
to give up a heart. West can still safely throw a club. Now you play your club
winners and West is squeezed in hearts and spades.
If you place the spades with West, then both squeezes always work. If West
has the sole guard in hearts he will be squeezed when you cash your winners. If
West has the sole guard in clubs he will be likewise be squeezed.
Practice Exercises | 35 |

Solution 19
Opening lead: 6
5 2

K 10 3

A K Q 7 6 3 2

Q

K 10 8 6
Q 9 4 3

8 7 5 4 N
A 9 6
W
E

J
10 8 5
S

J 9 3 2

10 8 6

A J 7

Q J 2

9 4

A K 7 5 4

West
North
East


pass
2
pass

pass
4NT*
pass

pass
6NT
all pass

To Problem

South
1
3
5

Without a spade lead this hand would be no trouble, but now it looks pretty
hopeless. East plays the Q and you win the A. Time to put on a brave face and
lead a heart. You lead a small heart towards dummys K103 and it is ducked.
You know you will not be able to steal another heart trick.
Obviously the K and the A are in different hands. Its not certain who
has each card but it may not matter. One of the defenders has the club guard and
whoever it is will not be able to keep four clubs as well as their major-suit winner.
You are going to have to keep your eyes open and guess the ending. You run all
your diamonds to come down to this ending.

5

K 3



Q

K ?

? N
W
E


S

???


J





A K 7

| 36 | Bridge Squeezes Complete

?
A?

???

If both defenders keep three clubs then you can cash the Q and exit in either
major. This will work no matter which defender has the A or the K. If
only one defender has three clubs remaining then you will have to exit in the
appropriate suit. If nobody has a club guard then you overtake the Q and cash
three club winners. You will have some hints from the play to guide you. This
is a stepping-stone squeeze.
Solution 20
Opening lead: 8
J 9

K 4

Q J 6 4 3

A K 9 3

7 6 4 2


J 9 5 N

W
E

8 7 5

S

10 7 5



K Q 10 5

A Q 10 8 3 2



J 8 4

West
North


pass
2

pass
3

pass
4NT

all pass

East
1
pass
pass
pass

To Problem

A83
76
A K 10 9 2
Q62

South
1
2
4
6

You play the J and East covers with the K, which you ruff. You draw trumps in
three rounds, East discarding a diamond on the third.
You are still a trick short and relying on the doubleton Q is a thin thread.
From the auction, it seems likely that East has all the high cards. You dont have
BLUE for a simple squeeze because you lack E. The entry condition is Opposite
Suit Entry where the only entry to the hand opposite the squeeze card is in the
threat held by the opposite hand (here Souths clubs). This squeeze only works
on the hand to the right of the squeeze card (East) or if the opposite hand also
has an entry in his threat suit. Since South does not have an entry in clubs the
squeeze would normally fail.
But there is a way a ruffing squeeze works. The presence of the trump suit
overcomes the problem with entries. You give up the spade and win the return.
Now run the spades and all the hearts but one, coming down to four cards. You
keep two diamonds and the A and K in dummy. If East throws a diamond you
can establish a diamond winner and if East throws a club you cash the top two
clubs and return to hand with a ruff to make your J.
Practice Exercises | 37 |

C l a s s i f i c a t i o n s
Problem 1: Isolating the guard and a Type R double squeeze
Problem 2: Strip and throw-in
Problem 3: Suicide squeeze
Problem 4: Complex compound with lots of variations
Problem 5: Simple Vienna Coup
Problem 6: Triple squeeze with a ruffing threat
Problem 7: Endplay in the trump suit
Problem 8: Double squeeze after isolating the guard or ruffing squeeze
Problem 9: Vise
Problem 10: Triple squeeze
Problem 11: Ruffing squeeze
Problem 12: Compound squeeze
Problem 13: Simple squeeze or suit establishment
Problem 14: Defense to simple squeeze
Problem 15: Repeating triple squeeze with two-trick menace
Problem 16: Maximizing your chances with a simple squeeze
Problem17: Type R compound squeeze
Problem 18: Alternate threat
Problem 19: Stepping stone
Problem 20: Ruffing squeeze