May 09 2010
Why Am I Always Squeezed Against You?
| Board 1 North Deals None Vul |
♠ A J 5 4 ♥ J 9 7 5 3 ♦ A 6 2 ♣ A |
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♠ Q 7 6 2
♥ A 4 ♦ 7 5 ♣ K J 10 8 7 |
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♠ 10 9
♥ 10 8 2 ♦ K J 9 8 3 ♣ 9 5 4 |
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| ♠ K 8 3 ♥ K Q 6 ♦ Q 10 4 ♣ Q 6 3 2 |
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| West | North | East | South |
| 2 ♦1 | Pass | 4 ♥ | |
| All pass |
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| 4 ♥ by South |
| Lead: ♦ 7 |
It’s the evening duplicate club game, and we’re having a mediocre session. Midway through the game, we come to the table of my former spouse. Partner opens Flannery, and despite my balanced 12-count, i bid straight to game.
My ex leads the diamond seven. They lead high spots from an even number, so he could be leading from four, two, or possibly a singleton. If it’s a singleton, they’ll get a ruff right away, but if it’s a doubleton, i need to duck now to disturb communication, so i do. I drop the ten on this trick, fooling no one, and RHO wins the King.
RHO thinks for a bit and switches to the spade ten. That means the diamond lead was probably a doubleton, and also means that the heart Ace is on my left (else rightie would continue diamonds, knowing he will get in with the trump ace and be able to give a ruff). I duck the spade, as does LHO, and i win the Jack in dummy. I then lead a heart to my King and the Ace, and LHO’s other small diamond comes back.
If trumps break, i have ten tricks for sure now, via four hearts, two diamonds, a club and three spades. I think trumps probably are breaking; the defenders may have defended differently if not (LHO may have ducked from ATxx on the first round). Since i have lost two tricks, the timing is right for a squeeze. If trumps are 4-1 on my left i can still pick up the trumps for the same ten tricks and possible squeeze. If four trumps are on my right i will only make ten tricks.
The best chance for a squeeze is against LHO – he surely has the spade Queen (RHO would not lead away from it), and if he also has the club King he cannot guard both. I also have the entries to ruff out RHO’s possible Kxx of clubs. So i emerge from my tank and win the diamond Ace in dummy, and cash the club Ace. A heart goes to my Queen (both following), and i ruff a club. Now a spade to my King (RHO following with the 9), and another club ruff. The King of clubs does not fall here, so i’m hoping that LHO was 4225 or 4324 with the spade/club guard. Now i pull the last pesky trump with the heart Jack (LHO pitching a club), and a diamond to my Queen. LHO pauses and i show him my cards, racking up the overtrick.
The next day, i receive an email from my ex, asking, “Why am always squeezed when you declare a hand against me? Can’t partner hold the guard sometimes?” I don’t know, but i sure am always looking for ways to squeeze him. I’m sure he’ll return the favor one of these days.