Complex Vise Squeeze

A Complicated Vise Squeeze

More complex positions of the vice squeeze (a squeeze with a vice threat) are possible. It is somewhat trivial to construct a triple vise squeeze:

	K10
	xx
	--
	--

QJ           Axxx
K            --
K            --
--           --

	x
	Q
	Q
	A

It is not clear how often this would arise. The position here need be changed only slightly (give dummy the K9x of spades and Righty the 10 of spades) to produce the mole squeeze, which will be discussed on the next page.

A More Natural Three-Suited Vise Squeeze

Consider this position.

	K10
	xx
	x
	--

QJ           Axx
A            --
Kx           Qx
--           --

	x
	K
	Ax
	A

There is a vice squeeze threat in spades, and a normal threat in hearts. Additionally, there is a diamond threat which both opponents can stop. However, assuming Lefty does not want to give up a trick in hearts or spades, Lefty pitches a diamond on the last club.

Once Lefty pithes a diamond, Righty is now set up for a major-tenace throw-in. Declarer plays ace and another diamond, and Righty must lead away from the ace of spades, gaining a trick

Natural?

This seems like a natural position to occur. The vice squeeze already contains the position for a major tenace throw-in.

Control in the Threat Suit

In the simple vice squeeze, it does not matter whether Lefty has control in the threat suit. For the more complicated vice squeeze, it makes a big difference. Consider this.

	K10
	Ax
	xx
	--

QJ           Axx
KQ           x
Kx           Qx
--           --

	xx
	x
	Ax
	A

Righty has a card in the threat suit. But that card can be eliminated by first winning the ace of hearts, then endplaying Righty in diamonds.

So there are some restrictions on the distribution that dummy and declarer must have. But in the course of discarding on a long suit, it is usually possible to come down to this distribution.

It will not help Righty to have even two cards in the threat suit.

	K10
	Ax
	xx
	--

QJ           Ax
KQ           xx
Kx           Qx
--           --

	xx
	x
	Ax
	A

Now Right can throw a spade on the last club, and if declarer attempts the major suit throw-in, Righty can cash a heart. But instead declarer can lead a spade before cashing the heart winner. This requires declarer to read the position. But that is a requirement for any major suit endplay.

In fact, it was not even necessary that there be a single threat against Lefty:

	K10
	Ax
	xx
	--

QJ           Ax
KJ           Q10
KJ           Q10
--           --

	xx
	x
	Ax
	A

On the club, Lefty has to abandon one of the red suits. Then Righty has to abandon the other. The two aces are cashed and then Right is endlplayed in whichever suit Left abandoned.

Loser Count

The loser count for the simple vise squeeze is two. The loser count for the complex vise squeeze is three. (This is the same loser count as for the major tenace throw-in.)

From actual play,

October 31, 2007. I was declarer.

3NT, but I was playing matchpoints. The opening lead was a small spade. Righty played the queen and I won with the K. I played a club to the queen and led towards my queen of diamonds. It won, placing the diamond ace with Righty. I then ran clubs. Lefty showed out on the second round and pitched 3 spades (but not the 10 or Jack), a heart, and the 10 of diamonds. (Not in that order.) Righty pitched a diamond and two hearts.

Like many complex squeezes, the position is complicated enough that defenders might release the key card a trick early, not to confuse you, but because they don't realize its importance. So it is not easy to read the position. On this hand, Lefty started with the J10 of diamonds and the complex vise squeeze had already worked. The full hand:

       A975 
       1083 
       K94 
       Q82 

J108642            Q 
K62                Q9754 
J107               A842 
6                  1094 

        K3 
        AJ 
        Q63 
        AKJ753

Next: The Mole Squeeze