Study 9K01 Main

Pure Squeeze

by Richard Pavlicek

A pure squeeze requires a basic threat behind one opponent, and two ambiguous threats (guarded by both opponents) each accompanied by an entry in its own suit. “Pure” means that no threat requires joint protection and no ruffing is involved during or after the squeeze. The opponent with the basic threat is triple-squeezed to abandon one of the ambiguous threats, then the matrix transforms into a double squeeze. For a detailed study see Pure Squeezes.

1. Unrestricted pure squeeze

NT win 7 A K 9 Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
re 4 1. S A Q 4 2
4 2. S 5 K K 3
K 4 3. N 4! 10 A Q
Q J 10 Table 3 2 4. S 4 10 K 2
K Q J 10 2 5. N A!
K Q J 10
— —
4
A 9
A 9
South leads A 5

Clubs can be cashed in either order.

2. Semirestricted pure squeeze

NT win 6 J Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
re 4 1. S A! 10 4 2
K 4 2. S A! J 4 7
K 4 3. S 5 Q K 8
K Table 2 4. N K!
K Q J 10
Q J 10 9 8 7
— —
—
A 9
A 6 5
South leads A

3. Basic entry pure squeeze

NT win 6 A J Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
re 4 1. S A! Q 4 2
4 2. S A! K 4 10
K 4 3. S 4 Q A 3
K Q Table 3 2 4. N K!
K Q J 10
K Q J 10
— —
4
A 9
A 9
South leads A

4. Free-suit entry pure squeeze

NT win 6 A J Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
re 4 1. S A! Q 4 2
4 2. S A! K 4 10
K 4 3. S 5 Q K 3
K Q Table 3 2 4. N A!
K Q J 10
K Q J 10
— —
—
A 9
A 9
South leads A 5

5. Unrestricted split pure squeeze

NT win 6 K Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
re A 9 1. S A Q 4 2
4 2. S 5 K K 7
K 4 3. N A! 10 4
A Table 2
K Q J 10
Q J 10 9 8 7
— —
—
4
A K 6
South leads A 5

Clubs can be cashed in either order.

Study 9K01 Main Top Pure Squeeze

6. Basic entry split pure squeeze

NT win 7 J 4 Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
re A 9 1. S K Q 2 2
K 4 2. S 4! K A 10
2 3. N 4! 3 A Q
K Q Table 3 2 4. S A!
K Q J 10
Q J 10 9 8 7
— —
A
4
A 6 5
South leads A K

7. Ambiguous entry split pure squeeze

NT win 7 A J Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
re A 6 5 1. S K 10 2 2
4 2. S 4! J A 7
2 3. N 5 8 K Q
K Q Table 3 2 4. S A Q J! 3
Q J 10 9 8 7 5. S 4! Q A
K Q J 10
— —
4
K 4
A 9
South leads A K

8. Alternate-threat pure squeeze (Axx)

NT win 7 A J Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
bi A 9 1. S K Q 2 2
K 4 2. S A! K 9! 3
2 3. S 4 10 A 10
K Q Table 3 2 4. N A!
K Q J 10
Q J 10 9 8 7
— —
—
8 4
A 6 5
South leads A K

South’s 8 serves as an alternate threat.

9. Alternate-threat pure squeeze (Ax)

NT win 7 A K 9 Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
bi A 9 1. S K Q 2 2
4 2. S A! K 9! 3
2 3. S 4 Q A 2
Q J 10 Table 3 2 4. N A 10 4 10
K Q J 10 2 5. N K!
K Q J 10
— —
4
8 4
A 9
South leads A K

South’s 8 serves as an alternate threat.

Anti pure squeeze

10. Lone-threat entry attack anti pure squeeze

NT win 1 A Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
auto bi Q J 10 1. S 7! K
9 8 7
—
— Table K
A K 6 5 4
5 4 A K 6
A K 4
—
9 8 7
Q J 10 2
South leads —

Study 9K01 Main Top Pure Squeeze

11. LHO-stopper release anti pure squeeze

NT win 1 K Q Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
auto bi K Q 1. W A Q!
9 8 7
—
4 Table A J
4 A 9
A 6 5 K 4
A K 2
3 2
J 10
Q J 10
West leads —

Study 9K01 Main Top Pure Squeeze

NT win 7	A K 9		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
re	4		1. S	A	Q	4	2
	4		2. S	5	K	K	3
	K 4		3. N	4!	10	A	Q
Q J 10		3 2	4. S	4	10	K	2
K Q		J 10 2	5. N	A!
K Q		J 10
—		—
	4
	A 9
	A 9
South leads	A 5

NT win 6	J		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
re	4		1. S	A!	10	4	2
	K 4		2. S	A!	J	4	7
	K 4		3. S	5	Q	K	8
K		2	4. N	K!
K Q		J 10
Q J 10		9 8 7
—		—
	—
	A 9
	A 6 5
South leads	A

NT win 1	A		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	Q J 10		1. S	7!	K
	9 8 7
	—
—		K
A K 6		5 4
5 4		A K 6
A K		4
	—
	9 8 7
	Q J 10 2
South leads	—