Study 9Q53   Main


Trump Strip Squeeze


  by Richard Pavlicek

A trump strip squeeze (as used here) is a generic description for any strip squeeze in which the trump suit plays a significant role. Most notrump-feasible strip squeezes have a counterpart with ruffing involved. Note that each technique described here loses at least one trick, else it would be a trump squeeze.

1.  Ruffed squeeze card

S win 2 STrickLead2nd3rd4th
H A J1. SC A!
D K
C
STableS A
H K QH 5 4
D AD
CC
S
H 3 2
D
South leadsC A

2.  Ruffout strip squeeze

S win 4 S 2TrickLead2nd3rd4th
biH1. SC A!23
D K 9 5
C 3
STableS
H 3 2H A K
D 3 2D A J 10
C 2C
S
H Q 4
D Q 4
South leadsC A

3.  Discard-or-ruff strip squeeze

S win 3 S 2TrickLead2nd3rd4th
auto?H 4 3 21. SC 4!D 7H 2!A
D
C
STableS
H A KH
D K 7D 6 5 4
CC A
S
H
D A Q 2
South leadsC 4

If West pitches heart, ruff and lead heart.

4.  Loser-on-loser ruffout strip squeeze

S win 3 S KTrickLead2nd3rd4th
H 41. SC 4!D KH 4!A
D Q 42. ED JS AA4
C
STableS
H A KH
D A KD J 10 9
CC A
S A
H Q 5
D
South leadsC 4

If West pitches a heart, ruff and lead H 4.

5.  Forced-duck establishment strip squeeze

S win 5 STrickLead2nd3rd4th
autoH A 5 21. SS K!H 3H 2H J
D K Q 82. SD J!289
C
STableS
H 7 6 4 3H K Q J
D 3 2D A 10 9
CC
S A K
H 10 9 8
D J
South leadsC

Study 9Q53   MainTop   Trump Strip Squeeze

6.  Forced-duck fork strip squeeze

S win 4 STrickLead2nd3rd4th
auto biH K Q J1. SS A!C 6C 4C 2
D 42. SH 46K2
C 5 43. NC 5!KS K7
STableS4. SH 5
H A 6H 3 2
D A QD
C 7 6C A K 3 2
S A K
H 5 4
D K 5
South leadsC

7.  Elopement fork strip squeeze

S win 3 S 3TrickLead2nd3rd4th
biH 10 41. SC 4!D 2S 3K
D 5 42. ND 4KS 2S A
C
S ATableS
H A J 9H 2
D 2D A K
CC A K
S 2
H K Q 5
D
South leadsC 4

Bi case (diamond ruff first) trivial.

8.  Lunar ruff strip squeeze

S win 5 STrickLead2nd3rd4th
biH1. SC 4!H QA2
D A Q 5 22. NC K3D 4!H K
C A K3. ND 2!8S 26
S ATableS4. SH A
H K QH
D K 7 6D J 10 9 8
CC 3 2
S 2
H A J 10
D 4
South leadsC 4

If West pitches a diamond, South pitches a heart.

9.  Ruff or double squeeze

S win 4 S 3 2TrickLead2nd3rd4th
biH K1. SS K!102A
D A 92. ES 9JH 23
C3. SS Q!
S 10TableS A 9
H A 2H
D J 10D K Q
CC A
S K Q J
H
D 4
South leadsC K

If East does not return a trump, ruff the club.

10.  Threat transfer fork strip squeeze

S win 5 S A KTrickLead2nd3rd4th
H1. SH K!AS K7
D J 6 52. NS AH 8H 22
C 23. ND 59KC 4
S 2TableS4. SH J!9C 2Q
H A 10 9H Q 8 7
DD Q 10 9
C 5 4C
S
H K J 2
D A K 4
South leadsC

Study 9Q53   MainTop   Trump Strip Squeeze

11.  Crossruff strip squeeze

S win 2 S 2TrickLead2nd3rd4th
autoH 41. SC K!AH 4!D K
D Q J2. WC QD J!
C
STableS A
HH A
DD A K
C A Q J 10C
S 3
H K
D 4
South leadsC K

12.  Crossruff fork strip squeeze

S win 5 S A 2TrickLead2nd3rd4th
auto?H A Q 10 21. SC 4D QH 2!A
D2. ED J4AS A!
C
S QTableS
H J 5 4H K 9 8
D A QD J 10
CC A
S K
H
D K 5 4
South leadsC K 4

13.  Nonmaterial ruff-sluff strip squeeze

S win 5 S ATrickLead2nd3rd4th
biH A 6 5 41. SD 4!AKC K
D K2. WD QH 4H 7S 2
C3. SH QKA8
STableS4. NS A!
H K 2H 10 9 8 7
D A Q J 10D
CC A K
S 2
H Q J 3
D 4
South leadsC Q

14.  Ruff-sluff strip squeeze

S win 6 S A KTrickLead2nd3rd4th
biH A 4 31. SD 4!AKC Q
D K2. WD QC 2C KS 3
C 23. SH QKA7
STableS4. NS AH 8H 5D 9
H K 2H 10 9 8 75. NS K!
D A Q J 10 9D
CC A K Q
S 3
H Q J 6 5
D 4
South leadsC J

If West exits in hearts, same squeeze develops.

15.  Entry ruffout strip squeeze

S win 6 STrickLead2nd3rd4th
auto bi?H K Q 10 9 31. SS A!H 2H 3D J
D A 102. SD K2A!Q
C3. NH 9!JS K6
STableS4. SD 5
H A 8 7 6 2H J 5 4
D 3 2D Q J
CC A K
S A K
H
D K 5
South leadsC Q 5 4

Study 9Q53   MainTop   Trump Strip Squeeze

16.  Delayed elopement fork strip squeeze

S win 3 S 4TrickLead2nd3rd4th
biH1. SC 4!H QD 9!K
D K J 10 92. EC AS 2!
C
S ATableS
H A QH J 10
D A QD 3
CC A K
S 3 2
H K 4
D
South leadsC 4

Bi case (diamond-heart crossruff) trivial.

17.  Lunar threat transfer fork strip squeeze

S win 5 S A KTrickLead2nd3rd4th
H A K 51. SD K!AS K7
D2. NS A!D QC 2D 8
C K3. NC K!AD 2D 9
STableS
H 3 2H Q 10 9
D A 10 9 8D Q 7
CC A
S
H J 4
D K J 2
South leadsC 2

18.  Ruff step-winkle

S win 4 STrickLead2nd3rd4th
auto bi?H A 41. SS KC JC 5H 9
D Q2. SH 2!8A10
C K 6 53. ND Q!KS A4
STableS4. SC 4Q6!
H K J 8H 10 9
D 4D A K
C Q JC A 10
S A K
H Q 3 2
D
South leadsC 4

19.  Crossruff step-winkle

S win 5 S 3TrickLead2nd3rd4th
auto?H J 10 21. SC 4!H AS 3A
D A 42. NH 2!QS 29
C3. SD K349
STableS4. SD 57A10
H A 9H K Q 85. NH J
D Q 8 7 3D 10 9
CC A
S 2
H
D K J 6 5
South leadsC 4

To avoid throw-in, E-W must let heart set up.

20.  Vice forced-duck establishment squeeze

S win 5 STrickLead2nd3rd4th
autoH A 51. SS KH 9D K!H 8
D K2. SC Q!1086
C K 9 83. SH 2JA10
STableS4. NH 5
H K J 9H 10 8
D AD Q
C J 10C A 7 6
S A K
H Q 3 2
D
South leadsC Q

Study 9Q53   MainTop   Trump Strip Squeeze

21.  Elopement establishment or squeeze

S win 6 S A 2TrickLead2nd3rd4th
H K 41. SC 4!S QD 4!Q
D J 5 42. WD Q5AS 3
C3. SS 4KAJ
S K QTableS J4. NS 2!H 2H 5
H Q J 10H 3 2
D K QD A
CC A K Q
S 4 3
H A 9 6 5
D
South leadsC 4

22.  Elopement or double squeeze

S win 4 S K QTrickLead2nd3rd4th
bi?H 4 21. SC A!S JS QQ
D K2. ND KH QS 10A
C3. SH A102K
S A JTableS 24. SC J!
H J 10H K Q
D AD
CC K Q
S 10
H A 9
D
South leadsC A J

If West ruffs high, must return S J to stop ruff.

23.  Establishment triple strip squeeze

S win 5 STrickLead2nd3rd4th
autoH K1. SS A!C 2D 2
D 4 2
C A K 9
STableS
H Q 3 2H A
D KD A Q
C 3 2C Q J 10
S A K
H 4
D J 10
South leadsC 4

24.  Knockout strip squeeze

S win 3 S A QTrickLead2nd3rd4th
H Q 51. SC 4!H KS Q!A
D2. NH 5!D 24A
C
S JTableS 10
H A KH
D AD 3 2
CC A
S K
H 4
D K
South leadsC 4

25.  Extended knockout strip squeeze

S win 3 S A QTrickLead2nd3rd4th
H Q 51. SC 4!D KS A!2
D 42. ND 4
C
S JTableS 10
H A KH
D A KD 3 2
CC A 2
S K
H 4
D Q 5
South leadsC 4

Study 9Q53   MainTop   Trump Strip Squeeze

26.  Trump extended knockout strip squeeze

S win 3 S K J 3TrickLead2nd3rd4th
H Q 51. SC 4!D AS 32
D2. NH 5!24K
C3. WS AK!
S A 10TableS 9
H A KH 3 2
D AD
CC A 2
S Q 2
H 4
D K
South leadsC 4

27.  Knockout trim fork strip squeeze

S win 4 S A KTrickLead2nd3rd4th
autoH 6 5 41. SC 4!D 4S KA
D2. NS AJ2Q
C3. NH 42J
S QTableS J
H K Q 9H 3 2
D 4D A
CC A
S 2
H A J 10
D
South leadsC 4

28.  Knockout fork strip squeeze

S win 4 S A K 4TrickLead2nd3rd4th
auto?H 5 4 31. SC 4!D 4S 4A
D2. NS K102J
C3. NS AD A3Q
S Q JTableS 104. NH 3JKA
H A Q 9H J 8 7
D 4D A
CC A
S 3 2
H K 10 6
D
South leadsC 4

29.  Backwash strip squeeze

S win 4 S ATrickLead2nd3rd4th
H A J1. SC 4!QS AD K
D Q J2. ND Q!A42
C3. EH KD 52A
STableS Q4. ND J!
H 2H K Q
D 3 2D A K
C K QC
S K
H
D 5 4
South leadsC A 4

Same play is required if South held C A-K.

30.  Extended backwash strip squeeze

S win 5 S A K JTrickLead2nd3rd4th
autoH 10 6 51. SC 4!AS K!
D
C
S 9TableS 10
H 2H K Q J
D 2D A K
C A K QC
S Q
H A 4
D Q 4
South leadsC 4

Auto case becomes the knockout variety.

Study 9Q53   MainTop   Trump Strip Squeeze

31.  Trump extended backwash strip squeeze

S win 3 S K J 10TrickLead2nd3rd4th
autoH Q 51. SC 4!AS J!D A
D2. NH 5K42
C3. ES A27K!
S 8 7TableS A 9
H 3 2H A K
DD A
C AC
S Q 2
H 4
D K
South leadsC 4

Auto case becomes the knockout variety.

32.  Backwash fork strip squeeze

S win 4 S A 2TrickLead2nd3rd4th
auto bi?H Q 41. SC 4!QS A!D 5
D 42. NS 2JKD Q
C3. SC A!
STableS Q J
HH K J
D A K QD 5
C K QC
S K
H A 5
D
South leadsC A 4

Auto case becomes the knockout variety.

33.  Backwash trim fork strip squeeze

S win 4 S A QTrickLead2nd3rd4th
H A 7 61. SC 4!KS Q!D 4
D2. NS AJKH 2
C3. NH 6!
STableS J
H 3 2H K Q 10
D AD 4
C A KC
S K
H J 5 4
D
South leadsC 4

34.  Backwash ruffout strip squeeze

S win 5 S ATrickLead2nd3rd4th
autoH A J 21. SC 4!QS A!D K
D Q 42. ND 4!AS 25
C3. SS K10H 2J
S 10TableS Q J
H 3H K Q
D 5D A K
C A K QC
S K 3 2
H 4
D
South leadsC 5 4

35.  Backwash extended ruffout strip squeeze

S win 6 S ATrickLead2nd3rd4th
auto bi?H Q 5 41. SC A!2S A!H K
D A K 92. NH 4AS 22
C3. SS K10D 9J
S 10TableS Q J4. SD 52K10
H 3 2H A K5. NH Q
D 4 3 2D Q J 10
C 2C
S K 2
H
D 8 7 6 5
South leadsC A

South’s club immaterial (C A shown for emphasis).

Study 9Q53   MainTop   Trump Strip Squeeze

36.  Backwash ruffout fork strip squeeze

S win 5 S ATrickLead2nd3rd4th
auto bi?H Q 41. SC A!2S A!H K
D A K J2. NH 4AS 22
C3. SD 52A9
STableS K4. NH Q!
H 3 2H A K
D 4 3 2D Q 10 9
C 2C
S 2
H
D 8 7 6 5
South leadsC A

South’s club immaterial (C A shown for emphasis).

37.  Seesaw ruffout fork strip squeeze

S win 5 S A 4TrickLead2nd3rd4th
auto?H1. SS K!D 7A!Q
D Q 5 42. ND 46S 210
C 23. SH Q!KC 2!C Q
STableS Q
H A K 10H
D K 10 7D A 6
CC A K Q
S K 3 2
H Q J 4
D
South leadsC

38.  Seesaw ruffout guard strip squeeze

S win 5 S A 4TrickLead2nd3rd4th
auto?H1. SS K!D KA!Q
D Q 42. ND 42S 2A
C Q J
STableS Q
H A K QH
D A KD 3 2
C KC A 5 4
S K 3 2
H J 5 4
D
South leadsC

39.  Seesaw ruffout fork strip triple squeeze

S win 5 S A 3TrickLead2nd3rd4th
H K J 41. SS K!C 43Q
D2. SC K!A25
C 2
STableS Q
H A QH 3 2
D A QD
C A 4C Q 6 5
S K 2
H
D K J 4
South leadsC K

40.  Seesaw ruffout fork strip squeeze

S win 5 S A 3TrickLead2nd3rd4th
H1. SS K!D QA!Q
D J 10 9 82. ND 82C 4!K
C
STableS Q
H A J 9H
D A K QD 3 2
CC 9 8 7
S K 2
H K Q 10
D
South leadsC 4

Study 9Q53   MainTop   Trump Strip Squeeze

41.  Seesaw ruffout fork strip triple squeeze

S win 5 S A 3TrickLead2nd3rd4th
bi?H K Q 10 21. SS K!C 5A!Q
D2. NH K3C 4!4
C3. NH QC 6D 4A
STableS Q
H A J 4H 3
D A QD
C 5C 9 8 7 6
S K 2
H
D K J 4
South leadsC 4

42.  Elopement or seesaw ruffout squeeze

S win 4 S A Q 10TrickLead2nd3rd4th
bi?H1. SH 4QS Q!S K
D Q 42. ES 9J!D KA!
C3. ND 4
STableS K 9
H A K QH
D A KD
CC 4 3 2
S J 2
H J 5 4
D
South leadsC

Curiously with S K onside (auto) you can’t win 4.

43.  Crossruff or seesaw ruffout squeeze

S win 4 S K 3TrickLead2nd3rd4th
biH Q 41. SD 5!J410
D 42. WS QK!
C
S QTableS
H KH A J
D K JD A Q 10
C 2C
S A 2
H
D 7 6 5
South leadsC

44.  Trump triple strip squeeze

S win 2 S J 2TrickLead2nd3rd4th
auto biH1. SS A!
D K
C
STableS K Q
H AH
D AD 4
C AC
S A
H K
D
South leadsC K

Don’t leave home without it.

45.  Triple squeeze ruffout step-winkle

S win 6 STrickLead2nd3rd4th
autoH K Q1. SS A!C 2C 6D Q
D2. SC 5!3A8
C A K Q 7 63. NC K9H 44
STableS4. NH K!AS K2
H 2H A5. SD 4!
D A 10 8D K Q
C 4 3 2C J 10 9 8
S A K
H 4
D J 9 4
South leadsC 5

Study 9Q53   MainTop   Trump Strip Squeeze

46.  Multiple sluff knockout squeeze

S win 4 S 3 2TrickLead2nd3rd4th
H1. SH 10!JD 4!2
D 6 5 42. WH 5D 5!3C Q!
C K3. WH 6D 6!
STableS Q
H J 9 8 7 6 5H 3 2
DD A K
CC A
S A K
H 10
D Q J
South leadsC Q

If West ducks H 10 pitch C K instead.

47.  Backwash dual fork strip squeeze

S win 4 S ATrickLead2nd3rd4th
auto biH A Q1. SC A2S A!
D A Q
C
STableS K
HH K J
DD K J
C 6 5 4 3 2C
S
H
D
South leadsC A K Q J 10

South’s clubs immaterial (all could be low).

Anti trump strip squeeze

48.  Tempo denial anti fork strip or squeeze

S win 2 STrickLead2nd3rd4th
auto biH 10 4 21. SH Q!K25
D 7 62. WH 710!S 26
C A
STableS A 2
H K 9 8 7H 5
D A 5D Q 4
CC Q
S
H A Q J 6
D K J
South leadsC

Auto case trivial; bi wins 3 tricks.

49.  Trump deluge anti backwash strip squeeze

S win 3 S 7 6 5TrickLead2nd3rd4th
biH A1. SS A!85J
D 3 22. SS 3962
C3. WH 4AS 10C A!
S Q 9 8TableS K J 10 2
H 4H
D 4D Q 5
C KC
S A 4 3
H
D A K
South leadsC A

Note that a low trump first does not work.

50.  Winner retention anti knockout strip squeeze

S win 3 S 5 4TrickLead2nd3rd4th
auto biH1. SS 2!Q410
D K Q J
C A 2
S K QTableS A J 10
H 5 4H 6
D 6 5D A 10 7
C KC
S 3 2
H A K
D 4 3 2
South leadsC

Auto case anti backwash strip squeeze.

Study 9Q53   MainTop   Trump Strip Squeeze

© 2015 Richard Pavlicek