The Squeeze-Trim-Endplay: Hand

Jeff Ford reports playing this hand in a club matchpoint game, February 19, 2008. (Spots are approximate.)

A973
Q32
AQJ107
A

K104
K97
K863
J76

The bidding was straightforward to 3NT, and the opening lead was a small spade, Righty playing the 8 and declarer winning with the 10. Declarer now led a heart to the queen of hearts, which won.

This is now a straightforward squeeze-trim-endplay. You have to get Lefty's distribution correct, but Lefty's behavior is reasonably predictable. Run the diamonds. After 4 diamonds tricks, Lefty will probably come down to:

                  A97
                  32
                  7
                  A
QJx
AJ
--
Kx
                  K4
                  K9
                  --
                  J76
Of course, Lefty could have Qx of clubs or A10 of hearts. On the last diamond, Lefty will probably pitch a club. And that is what happened in actual play.

(Spots are approximate, but opportunities for deception in hearts are limited by the presence of the 9 of hearts in hand. If Lefty pitches the jack of hearts and keeps Ax, deceiving you into playing hearts before cashing your ace of clubs, your nine will force out the ace.)

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Squeeze-Trim-Endplay Hands
Variations (squeeze-trim-finesse)


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