SIMPLE SQUEEZE

This is a squeeze which acts against one opponent in two suits. The card which forces the defender to discard a busy card is called the squeeze card. The squeeze card must be a winner played from the hand opposite the two-card menace, so that the two menaces and the squeeze card can not be in the same hand. The two-card menace contains a master card, which provides an entry to one of the menaces. There are several types of a simple squeeze, and they are generally initiated as an end play.

The Positional Squeeze
a. One Way Squeeze

	AJ K
KQ A		8 2 6
	6 7 A

South plays the Ace of Clubs. West is squeezed in two suits. As soon as West discards one suit, South discards the other suit in the dummy. South wins all three tricks. Designations are: Spades represent the two-card menace and Hearts represent the one-card menace and the Ace of Clubs is the squeeze card. Both West and North hold the busy cards.

The Positional Squeeze:
b. Split Two-Card Menace

	A6 K
KJ A		109 2
	Q6 A

The two-card menace is split between the dummy and South, the declarer. The dummy contains the master card, the Ace of Spades, and South contains the menace, the Queen of Spades. This split two-card menace is opposite the squeeze card, the Ace of Clubs. Again, South leads the Ace of Clubs, West is squeezed, and whatever West discards, South takes all three tricks.

Automatic Squeeze:

	AJ 6
KQ A		109 2
	6 K A

West holds the two-card menace and is opposite the squeeze card, which is the Ace of Clubs, but in this position, the one-card menace is accompanied by the squeeze card. The dummy contains an idle card which must be played on the lead of the Ace of Clubs, the squeeze card, meaning that the discard from the dummy does not depend on the play of the opponent, therefore automatic since the squeeze operates against either opponent even if the same opponent guards both menace cards.

Criss-Cross Squeeze:

	A Q9 6
3 54 6		K6 K5
	Q4 A A

South leads the Ace of Clubs. This end play forces East to unguard one of his Major suit Kings. If East discards a Spade, the declarer cashes the Ace in that suit forcing East to play the King. South then returns to his hand to the Ace of Hearts to play the Queen of Spades.

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.

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