Can this be made on a Compound Squeeze?

by David Stevenson

This hand appeared on Facebook. How do you make 7?
The opening lead is the K.

A54 AJ4 K432 A83

K72 8 AQJ9765 K9

Assuming that the lead is from KQ and assuming the lead is not ruffed we can safely say the following:

• The contract is cold, but
• it is not guaranteed to make

The classification of Compound Squeezes (slightly amended and improved from Love) is here.

The requirements for a Type L Restricted Compound Squeeze are present. There is an L threat (J) and two B threats (7 and 8). The long suit is in the opposite hand to the L threat and the hand with the long suit must have an extra entry in either the L suit, or the B suit in the hand with the L threat. This condition is satisfied by the K. The other hand must have an extra entry in either the L suit, or the B suit in the hand with the long suit. This condition is satisfied by the A.

So how can it fail? The trouble with Compund Squeezes is that they are ambiguous and you often have to decide what suit the opponent with three suits has abandoned on the play of the F suit.

So play A, ruff 6 high (just in case something interesting happens) and start cashing the s. You play five rounds of s discarding the 4 on the last one, reaching this position:

A5 J -- A83

K72 -- 7 K9

The moment of truth has arrived. West must still have the K so he cannot have kept three cards in each black suit. So you must decide which black suit he has abandoned.

• If he has abandoned s then there is a Type R double squeeze. Cash A, K and the last . West will abandon s to keep the Q. Discard J and East is squeezed in the black suits, one of which will now run.
• If he has abandoned s then there is a Type B1 double squeeze. Cash A, K and the last . West will abandon s to keep the Q. Discard J and East is squeezed in the black suits, one of which will now run.

Would you have made it? Incidentally, I do not know the distribution of the other hands so I do not know which line is successful.

Editor's note:

• If you want to comment on this article, why not write direct to me, David Stevenson? I shall be pleased to hear from you!

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