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Two-Suit Strip Squeeze

by Richard Pavlicek

A two-suit strip squeeze is a common technique that comes in many varieties. An opponent with a critical holding (stopper or exit card) in two suits is squeezed into a predicament where he can be thrown in for material gain, typically to lead from an honor. Note that a strip squeeze, by definition, always involves the loss of at least one trick.

1.  Fork strip squeeze

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

2.  Establishment strip squeeze

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

3.  Dual establishment strip squeeze

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

4.  Finesse trim strip squeeze

NT win 3/4	A 5		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
bi?	5 4		1. S	A	2	5!	6
	—		2. S	4	Q	A	7
	—		3. N	4
K Q		7 6
3 2		A Q
—		—
—		—
	4
	K 6
	—
South leads	A

5.  Trim fork strip squeeze or establishment I

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

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Top Two-Suit Strip Squeeze

6.  Trim fork strip squeeze or establishment II

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

Two heart winners needed without spade control.

7.  Dual fork duck strip squeeze

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

8.  Submarine positional squeeze

NT win 2/3	A J		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
	K		1. S	4!
	—
	—
K Q		6 5
A		—
—		—
—		A
	4 2
	—
	—
South leads	4

9.  Submarine automatic squeeze

NT win 3/4	A J		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	4		1. S	4!	A	2
	—
	2
2		K Q
3 2		K Q
—		—
A		—
	4
	A J
	—
South leads	4

10.  Submarine crisscross squeeze

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

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Top Two-Suit Strip Squeeze

11.  Submarine establishment squeeze

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

If 9 and 2 switched, squeeze is positional.

12.  Submarine trim squeeze

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

Auto case is simple heart finesse.

13.  Double fork strip squeeze

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

14.  Double trim fork strip squeeze

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

15.  Combined finesse strip squeeze

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

If West pitches a spade, lead J from South.

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Top Two-Suit Strip Squeeze

16.  Guard strip squeeze

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

17.  Crisscross strip squeeze

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

18.  Fratricide squeeze or establishment

NT win 3/4	A J		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
	K 4		1. S	K!	A	4	J
	—		2. W	J	K
	—
—		K Q
—		A J
—		—
A J 10 9		—
	4
	Q
	—
South leads	K Q

If West ducks K, pitch J and establish heart.

19.  Fratricide squeeze or throw-in

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

20.  Dual establishment strip squeeze

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

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Top Two-Suit Strip Squeeze

21.  Two-suit establishment strip squeeze

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

If A not cashed defense can win three tricks.

22.  Stepping-stone squeeze

NT win 3/4	A 10		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto re	2		1. S	A!	J	2
	—
	2
2		Q J
—		A K
—		—
K Q J		—
	K
	Q
	—
South leads	A 3

23.  Vice squeeze

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

Automatic because only option is to lead to K.

24.  Split vice squeeze

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

25.  Split vice or fork strip squeeze

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

Does not work if A and K are switched.

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Top Two-Suit Strip Squeeze

26.  Vice duck strip squeeze

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

East must shed long club to prevent heart duck

27.  Vice duck double strip squeeze I

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

28.  Vice duck double strip squeeze II

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

29.  Winkle squeeze

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

Does not work if A and K switched.

30.  Forced duck fork strip squeeze

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

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Top Two-Suit Strip Squeeze

31.  Establishment fork strip squeeze

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

Gains 2 tricks.

32.  Forced finesse unblock strip squeeze

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

If South had A, cashing it wins 4 tricks.

33.  Establishment or fork strip squeeze

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

Crucial to lead 10 not queen.

34.  Squash establishment strip squeeze

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

35.  Guard establishment strip squeeze

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

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Top Two-Suit Strip Squeeze

36.  Establishment dual fork strip squeeze

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

Gains 2 tricks.

37.  Seesaw strip squeeze

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

Also works if South void in spades ( A-10-4-3).

38.  Unblock seesaw strip squeeze

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

Also works if North void in hearts ( A-10-4-3).

39.  Overtake seesaw strip squeeze

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

40.  Gambit finesse seesaw strip squeeze

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

Also works if South void in hearts ( A-10-6-5).

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Top Two-Suit Strip Squeeze

41.  Unblock overtake seesaw strip squeeze

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

42.  Seesaw jettison strip squeeze

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

43.  Extended seesaw jettison strip squeeze

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

Anti two-suit strip squeeze

44.  Winner jettison anti fork strip

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

45.  Winner jettison anti forced duck fork strip

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

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Top Two-Suit Strip Squeeze

46.  Winner jettison gambit anti fork strip

NT win 2/4	K		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
not	A 4		1. W	A	A!	Q	2
	A		2. W	K?
	—
A 4		Q J
—		K Q
K		—
A		—
	10 3 2
	2
	—
West leads	—

North hand must be hidden

47.  Fork removal anti fork strip squeeze

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

48.  Timing duck anti establishment squeeze

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

49.  Entry committal anti vice duck squeeze

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

50.  Finesse kill anti seesaw squeeze

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

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Top Two-Suit Strip Squeeze

51.  Entry spoil anti seesaw squeeze

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

Note that a low club seesaw-squeezes North.

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© 2014 Richard Pavlicek