Study 9Q01   Main


Trump Squeeze


  by Richard Pavlicek

A trump squeeze (as used here) is a generic description for any squeeze in which the trump suit plays a significant role. In fact almost every notrump-feasible squeeze has a counterpart with ruffing involved. Note that techniques described here win all the remaining tricks, else they would be a trump strip squeeze, covered in the final category. About the Techniques

1. Ruff-delivered squeeze

S win 3
auto bi
S A
H 4
D K
C
Trick
1 S
Lead
C 4!
2nd
A
3rd
S A
4th
S
H 3 2
D
C A
Table S
H K Q
D A
C
South leads S
H A J
D
C 4

2. Threat isolation ruff before squeeze

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

3. Ruff-or-establishment squeeze

S win 3
bi
S A 3
H K
D
C
Trick
1 S
Lead
C 4!
2nd 3rd 4th
S K
H A
D 2
C
Table S
H
D A
C A K
South leads S 2
H
D
C 5 4

Bi case trivial.

4. Ruff-triggered reciprocal squeeze

S win 5
bi
S
H A 10 5
D A 9
C
Trick
1 S
2 N
3 S
Lead
H 4!
H 5
C A!
2nd
J
D Q
3rd
A
S A
4th
2
Q
S
H K Q J
D J 10
C
Table S
H 2
D K Q
C K Q
South leads S A
H 4
D 4
C A J

Best sequence shown, but C A could be led first.

5. Ruff reentry triple squeeze

S win 4
auto
S
H A 2
D K
C K
Trick
1 S
Lead
S A!
2nd
C 2
3rd
H 2
4th
S
H
D 3 2
C 3 2
Table S
H K Q
D A
C A
South leads S A K
H J 5
D
C

6. Ruffout squeeze

S win 4
auto bi
S A
H
D J 4
C 2
Trick
1 S
Lead
C A!
2nd 3rd 4th
S
H A K
D K Q
C
Table S
H 3 2
D 3 2
C
South leads S
H Q 4
D A
C A

7. Dual ruffout squeeze

S win 5
auto bi
S 3 2
H A 8 5
D
C
Trick
1 S
Lead
S A!
2nd
Q
3rd
2
4th
S Q
H 10 9
D
C 3 2
Table S
H K Q J
D A K
C
South leads S A 4
H 4
D Q 4
C

8. Ruffout squeeze (or threat isolation before)

S win 6
auto bi
S
H A J 6
D A 4 2
C
Trick
1 S
Lead
S A
2nd
D 3
3rd
D 2
4th
S
H K 8
D 8 7 6 3
C
Table S
H Q 10 9
D Q J 10
C
South leads S A K
H 4
D K 9 5
C

Note alternative to ruff heart first.

9. Ruff-delivered ruffout squeeze

S win 4
auto
S K
H Q 4
D A
C
Trick
1 S
Lead
C 4!
2nd
K
3rd
S K
4th
S
H
D 3 2
C A K
Table S
H A K
D K Q
C
South leads S A
H
D J 4
C 4

10. Trump-length adjusted ruffout squeeze

S win 5
auto
S A 3 2
H
D J 4
C
Trick
1 S
2 N
Lead
H 4!
S 2!
2nd
Q
Q
3rd
S A
K
4th
C 2
S
H A K Q
D K Q
C
Table S Q
H
D 3 2
C 3 2
South leads S K
H J 5 4
D A
C

11. Establishment ruffout squeeze

S win 7
auto
S
H A K Q 6 5
D A 2
C
Trick
1 S
Lead
S A!
2nd
D 7
3rd
D 2
4th
S
H 3 2
D J 10 9 8 7
C
Table S
H J 10 9 8 7
D K 6
C
South leads S A K
H 4
D Q 5 4 3
C

Guess-free since H A-K-Q will reveal break.

Study 9Q01   MainTop   Trump Squeeze

12. Double ruffout squeeze

S win 4
bi
S A
H
D 9 4
C 2
Trick
1 S
Lead
C A!
2nd 3rd 4th
S
H K 9
D J 10
C
Table S
H J 8
D K Q
C
South leads S
H Q 10
D A
C A

13. Clash ruffout squeeze

S win 5
S
H A 4
D
C A 6 5
Trick
1 S
Lead
S A!
2nd 3rd 4th
S
H K
D A
C J 10 9
Table S
H J 10 2
D
C K Q
South leads S A K
H Q
D K
C 4

14. Double clash ruffout squeeze

S win 5
auto?
S
H A 4
D A
C K Q
Trick
1 S
2 S
3 N
Lead
S A!
D 4!
C K!
2nd
D 10
J
3rd
C Q
A
4th
H 2
Q
S
H K
D J 10
C A J
Table S
H J 10 2
D K Q
C
South leads S A K
H Q
D 9 4
C

15. Ruff-assisted pure squeeze

S win 7
S
H Q 4
D K 4 2
C A 8
Trick
1 S
2 S
3 N
4 S
Lead
S A!
C 4!
H 4
S K!
2nd
C 9
10
C Q
3rd
D 2
A
S Q
4th
H 2
J
K
S
H A K
D Q J 10
C 10 9
Table S
H 2
D 9 8 7
C K Q J
South leads S A K Q
H
D A 6 5
C 4

Ruff provides reentry unavailable in notrump.

16. Compound ruffout squeeze

S win 7
S
H A 7 6
D 4 2
C A J
Trick
1 S
2 S
3 N
4 S
5 S
Lead
S A
H 4!
H 6
S K!
C 4!
2nd
H J
Q
9
D Q
3rd
D 2
A
S Q
C J!
4th
C 2
8
K
C 3
S
H K Q J
D K Q
C K Q
Table S
H 10 9 8
D J 10
C 3 2
South leads S A K Q
H 4
D A 9
C 4

17. Twin-entry compound ruffout squeeze

S win 7
S
H A 7 6
D K 4 2
C K
Trick
1 S
2 S
3 N
4 S
Lead
S A!
H 4!
H 6
S K!
2nd
H J
Q
9
D 10
3rd
D 2
A
S Q
C K!
4th
C 2
8
K
S
H K Q J
D Q J 10
C A
Table S
H 10 9 8
D 9 8 7
C 2
South leads S A K Q
H 4
D A 6 5
C

18. Compound dual ruffout squeeze

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

19. Alternate threat compound ruffout squeeze

S win 7
S
H A 10 9
D A 9
C A 9
Trick
1 S
2 S
3 N
4 N
5 S
Lead
S A!
C 4
H A
H 9
S K!
2nd
C Q
K
2
3
3rd
C 9!
A
D 4
S Q
4th
2
10
J
Q
S
H K Q J
D K Q
C K Q
Table S 2
H 3 2
D J 10
C J 10
South leads S A K Q
H
D 8 4
C 8 4

20. Knockout squeeze

S win 4
auto bi
S A K
H
D Q 4
C
Trick
1 S
Lead
H 4!
2nd 3rd 4th
S Q
H
D A K
C A
Table S
H A K Q J
D
C
South leads S 3 2
H 4
D
C K

21. Backwash squeeze

S win 4
auto bi
S A K
H
D Q 4
C
Trick
1 S
Lead
H 4!
2nd
J
3rd
S A
4th
S
H A K Q J
D
C
Table S Q
H
D A K
C A
South leads S 3 2
H 4
D
C K

Compare to previous.

Study 9Q01   MainTop   Trump Squeeze

22. Bare backwash squeeze

S win 3
S A
H K
D K
C
Trick
1 S
Lead
C 4!
2nd
5
3rd
S A
4th
S
H
D
C 7 6 5
Table S Q
H A
D A
C
South leads S K
H
D
C A 4

Same play is necessary if South has C A-K.

23. Backwash squeeze trump coup

S win 4
S A
H K 2
D K
C
Trick
1 S
Lead
C 4!
2nd
5
3rd
S A
4th
S
H 3
D
C 7 6 5
Table S Q 10
H A
D A
C
South leads S K J
H
D
C A 4

24. Trump coup or squeeze

S win 5
S A Q 2
H Q 4
D
C
Trick
1 S
2 S
3 N
Lead
D A!
D 10
H Q
2nd
H 6
H 7
K
3rd
H 4
S 2
A
4th
J
Q
8
S K J
H 8 7 6
D
C
Table S
H K J
D K Q J
C
South leads S
H A 5 2
D A 10
C

25. Seesaw ruffout squeeze

S win 4
S A 3
H
D Q 4
C
Trick
1 S
2 N
Lead
S K!
D 4
2nd
D K
3rd
A!
4th
Q
S
H A K
D A K
C
Table S Q
H
D 2
C 3 2
South leads S K 2
H Q 4
D
C

26. Extended threat seesaw ruffout squeeze

S win 5
S A 3
H
D Q J 4
C
Trick
1 S
2 S
Lead
S K!
H K!
2nd
H 10
3rd
3!
4th
Q
S
H A J 10
D A K
C
Table S Q
H
D 3 2
C 3 2
South leads S K 2
H K Q 9
D
C

27. Trump extended seesaw ruffout squeeze

S win 6
S A 5 4
H
D J 5 4
C
Trick
1 S
2 N
Lead
S K!
D 4
2nd
D Q
3rd
A!
4th
Q
S
H A K Q
D A K Q
C
Table S Q
H
D 3 2
C 4 3 2
South leads S K 3 2
H J 5 4
D
C

28. Guard seesaw ruffout squeeze

S win 6
S A 3
H
D A 10 9 2
C
Trick
1 S
2 S
Lead
S K!
H K!
2nd
H 9
3rd
3!
4th
Q
S
H A J 9
D Q J
C A
Table S Q
H
D K 4 3
C 3 2
South leads S K 2
H K Q 10
D
C K

29. Ruffout triple squeeze

S win 5
auto bi
S Q J 10
H
D J 4
C
Trick
1 S
Lead
S A!
2nd 3rd 4th
S
H A K
D K Q
C A
Table S K
H
D 9 8 3 2
C
South leads S A
H Q 4
D A
C K

Rare; usually C K ruff S A = plain ruffout squeeze.

30. Trump triple squeeze

S win 3
auto bi
S 3 2
H
D
C K
Trick
1 S
Lead
S A!
2nd 3rd 4th
S
H A
D A
C A
Table S K
H 2
D 2
C
South leads S A
H K
D K
C

Pick an ace, any ace!

31. Crossruff or trump triple squeeze

S win 4
S A 9
H K
D K
C
Trick
1 S
2 S
Lead
S Q
S 10
2nd
8
K
3rd
9
A
4th
2
S K 8
H
D
C 3 2
Table S 2
H A
D A
C A
South leads S Q J 10
H
D
C K

Study 9Q01   MainTop   Trump Squeeze

Anti trump squeeze

32. Threat erasure anti squeeze

S win 2
auto bi
S 4 3
H 2
D 4 3 2
C
Trick
1 S
2 E
3 S
Lead
H A!
S K
H Q
2nd
J
A
K
3rd
2
8
S 4
4th
S 10
3
S J
S 9 8
H K J
D A 10
C
Table S K Q J 10
H
D Q 9
C
South leads S A 2
H A Q
D K J
C

33. Trump holdup anti threat unblock squeeze

S win 2
auto? bi
S 2
H 3 2
D 3 2
C 3 2
Trick
1 W
2 E
3 S
Lead
S 10
S 4
S J!
2nd
2
A
3rd
Q
8
4th
3!
C 2
S K 10 9 8
H J 5
D 4
C
Table S Q 5 4
H A 4
D A Q
C
West leads S A J 3
H K Q
D K J
C

34. Anti threat isolation anti squeeze

S win 1
auto bi
S 4 3 2
H J 6
D 3 2
C
Trick
1 S
Lead
S 10!
2nd 3rd 4th
S K 5
H 10 5 4
D A 5
C
Table S A Q J 9 8
H
D Q 4
C
South leads S 10
H A K Q
D K J 10
C

Auto case trivial (just don’t lead diamond).

35. Underruff anti squeeze

S win 1
auto bi
S 2
H 3 2
D
C 8 7 6
Trick
1 W
Lead
C 4
2nd
6
3rd
S A
4th
S Q!
S K J
H 4
D 4
C 5 4
Table S A
H A 10 9
D A J
C
West leads S Q
H K Q J
D K Q
C

Auto/bi cases trivial (N-S win 2 tricks).

36. Entry attack anti ruffout squeeze

S win 1
bi
S 3
H 9 8 3 2
D 3 2
C
Trick
1 S
2 E
Lead
H Q!
D J
2nd
4
Q
3rd
2
S 10
4th
K
2
S A Q J 10
H 10 5 4
D
C
Table S K
H A K 6
D J 10 9
C
South leads S 2
H Q J 7
D A K Q
C

37. Tempo duck anti squeeze

S win 2
auto? bi
S
H 5 4 3 2
D 10 9 3
C
Trick
1 W
Lead
H 8
2nd
2
3rd
K
4th
7!
S K
H Q 9 8
D A 8 7
C
Table S A Q J
H K
D Q 6 5
C
West leads S
H A J 10 7
D K J 2
C

38. Non-ruff stopper retention anti squeeze

S win 2
bi
S 3
H 8 5 4
D
C A K
Trick
1 W
2 E
Lead
D 4
D 10
2nd
C K!
Q
3rd
A
S 2
4th
J
S 3
S 2
H A 7 6
D 4
C 4
Table S A
H K J
D A 10 9
C
West leads S
H Q 10 9
D K Q J
C

Bi case less demanding.

39. Lone stopper release anti seesaw squeeze

S win 1
bi
S
H K Q 10
D A
C A 5
Trick
1 W
Lead
S K
2nd
D A!
3rd 4th
S K 2
H A J 5 4
D
C
Table S A 3
H
D K
C K Q 6
West leads S Q
H
D 3 2
C 4 3 2

Bi case trivial.

40. Overruff delay anti seesaw squeeze

S win 3
auto? bi?
S
H A K Q
D 2
C A K
Trick
1 W
2 E
3 W
4 S
Lead
H 4
C 4
H 5
S A!
2nd
Q
D K
K
3rd
S 10
S 6
S 8
4th
D Q!
K
S Q!
S J 7 6
H J 5 4
D
C
Table S K 10 9 8
H
D
C Q 4
West leads S A Q 2
H
D A K Q
C

Study 9Q01   MainTop   Trump Squeeze

© 2014 Richard Pavlicek