NON-MATERIAL SQUEEZE

This type of squeeze is against strategic values and less than against material values, such as sure winners or guards to winners. This type of squeeze operates against cards that are apparently idle, which are assumed to have no inherent value, but which ultimately have an important function, such as the prevention of a throw-in and/or the protection of the communication of the defender. The following illustration should clarify this concept.

742
A865
Q3
AQ74
53
J92
K964
J652
KJ1086
Q1073
A52
9
AQ9
K4
J1087
K1083

East

South

West

North

Pass

1

Pass

1

1

1 NT

Pass

3 NT

Pass

Pass

Pass

 

Declarer:

  South

Contract:

  3 No Trump

Lead:

  5

South wins the first Spade in his hand. The idea is now to unblock the Club suit by leading the 8 to the Ace, the 3 to the King, and South discovers that East discards a small Diamond. South now leads the 10 of Clubs. West gains no advantage in playing or not playing the Jack of Clubs, but East is squeezed.

In the case that East, having to discard a second time, discards a Spade, South can safely establish the Diamond suit for two tricks. In the case that East discards a Heart, this discard allows South to establish a winning trick in Hearts in the dummy, the entry being the Clubs. In the case that East discards a second Diamond, then this action allows South to more safely establish that suit, since East, after winning his Ace of Diamonds, is faced with the decision to lead either a Heart or a Spade.

If East, in the latter instance, leads a Heart, South wins in the dummy, and finesses correctly with the Queen of Spades. If East, however, leads a Spade, then South remembers the auction and plays the Queen of Spades correctly.

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.

Claus and Raymond

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