The Compound Squeeze was first analyzed by Mr.
Clyde Elton Love of Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, and who was born in the year 1882 and died in the year 1960. He served as a Professor
of mathematics at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and was a specialist on bridge squeeze plays. He also authored the publications Squeeze Play in Bridge and Bridge Squeeze Complete.
As a renown mathematician he also authored publications and articles about differential and integral calculus, analytic geometry, and also asymptotic solutions of linear differential equations.
Definition
The Compound Squeeze is a preparatory triple
squeeze which is followed by a double squeeze. However, certain conditions and the
lay of the cards must precede this situation.
The conditions must be such that the
ending requires two double menaces, which are guarded by both opponents, and a one-card
menace. The lay of the cards requires that the one-card menace be positioned to the
left of the opponent threatened.
Under these conditions, the declarer has all the
remaining tricks except one.
South leads the Ace of Hearts. East is compound-squeezed in 3 suits. In the attempt to avoid giving South a trick, East must discard a card in one of his Minor suits, thereby unguarding one suit. South then cashes the King and then the Ace of that suit which East has discarded and left unguarded. West has retained the single guard against South taking an extra trick in that suit, which East discarded on the first trick.
South then leads the King of Hearts, which effects a double squeeze. Each of the double menaces must be accompanied by a winner in its suit to provide an entry. South, after the play has ended and all cards have been played, will have lost only one trick.
Alternative Threat Squeeze
The Alternative Threat Squeeze is a
hybrid form of Compound Squeeze and must meet certain special conditions and requirements.
South leads the Ace of Diamonds. West must discard one of his guards. If West discards a Spade, then West gives up a sure trick. Therefore, West must discard a Heart or a Club. If West discards a Heart, then South discards the Two of Hearts from the dummy when South next leads the King of Diamonds.
East has discarded a Heart on the Ace of Diamonds and a Spade on the King of Diamonds.
Now a Heart lead by South squeezes West in Spades and Clubs, and when South leads the Ace of Spades from the dummy, East is squeezed in Hearts and Clubs.
If West, on the first trick, decided to discard a Club on the Ace of Diamonds, South leads a Club to the Ace of Clubs, South leads a Club to the Ace of Clubs, cashes the Ace of Spades, and returns to his hand with the King of Clubs. Now, the lead of the King of Diamonds creates a simultaneous double squeeze.
The special requirements needed for this Alternative Threat Squeeze are:
| 1. |
A 1-card menace accompanied by a winner and placed to the left of the threatened opponent. |
| 2. |
A double menace, the alternate threat suit, accompanied by a winner and any two cards of that suit in the hand opposite. |
| 3. |
The usual requirements for a Compound Squeeze must be present. |
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.