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AGM

11th April 2024

Start 12.30

Buffet lunch provided

 

28 April & Squeeze #2
Board 12 - Card Combinations

Forgive the brevity this week but I am in the middle of the North Sea!

The key to bidding 3NT is West's reverse into 2 which promises 16 points and allows East to confidently bid 3NT

The  key to the play are the red suits. Hearts is what is called a frozen suit - i.e. one that whichever side opens up the suit will give away a trick by doing so.

Diamonds is more promising

Declarer has only two entries to hand so must make good use of them by playing  Q first finessing the  K and then when that works playing a low diamond to finesse the  J.

Playing that way gives declarer eleven tricks (two Spades, no Hearts, four Diamonds amd five Clubs)

Squeeze (2) - Vienna Coup

This second Squeeze hand demonstrates a technique called a Vienna Coup

North-South overbid and end in 7NT to which East leads the ♣7.

North counts 12 Top Tricks and the obvious chance for the thirteenth trick is to hope the Diamonds split 3-3.

There is another chance. Can you see what it is?

The extra chance is if either defender started with the K and four Diamonds.

If so Declarer can squeeze that player by cashing the A, three Spades and five Clubs. The squeezed  defender will be down to four cards and will have to let go either the K or their fourth Diamond.

Declarer is looking at  A K Q x opposite Dummy's 5 4 3, with the lead in Dummy (South).

If the  K has been discarded then the  Q provides the thirteenth trick.

If declarer hasn't seen the  K then they play off the  A K Q and hope.

They are no worse off than if they hadn't tried the squeeze but they have given themselves a precious extra chance.