Executing a triple squeeze.
Bridge Column for May 14, 2000, By HARVEY BERNSTEIN
Neither side vulnerable.  North deals.
                              NORTH
                              S: 8          
                              H: Q 9 2       
                              D: A K Q 10 3 2 
                              C: K 9 5   
            WEST                             EAST
            S: Q J 2                         S: A 10 9 4 2   
            H: 8 4 3                         H: K J 10 5   
            D: 8 6 5 4                       D: Void              
            C: 8 4 2                         C: A J 7 6     
                              SOUTH                         
                              S: K 7 6 5
                              H: A 7 6      
                              D: J 9 7     
                              C: Q 10 3   
          The Bidding://
                  NORTH    EAST    SOUTH    WEST                  
                    1D      1S       1NT     2S 
                    3D      3H       3NT    Pass
                   Pass    Pass
     With only one stopper in each of the opponents suits, it may
have been more prudent for South to bid four diamonds at his
second turn, but the competition was "team of four" and the game
bonus was worth to much risk playing in a diamond partial.
     The opening lead was the queen of spades.  The eight was
played from dummy and East contributed the four.  Declarer won
the king (there is no reason to hold up) and can count exactly
eight tricks.  He also knows that East was able to make two bids
during the auction.  This would indicate that East held most of
the outstanding cards.
     In a situation like this, the more one opponent holds, the
better it is for declarer.  The auction implies that East has
five spades and four or five hearts.  On the run of the diamonds
he is going to come under a great deal of pressure.  You may not
know how to execute a squeeze, but you certainly know how to take
your diamond tricks.
     Six rounds of diamonds simply destroys East's hand.  Three
club discards and two heart discards are easy.  On the sixth
diamond, however, he has to let go of a spade.  You have been
paying close attention to the discards, but here is the end
position anyway: 
                              NORTH
                              S:            
                              H: Q 9 2       
                              D:              
                              C: K 9 5   
            WEST                             EAST
            S: 2                             S: A 10 9       
            H: 8 4                           H: K J        
            D:                               D:                   
            C: 8 4 2                         C: A           
                              SOUTH                         
                              S:        
                              H: A 7 6      
                              D:           
                              C: Q 10 3
     A small club from North is taken by the ace.  East can cash
three spade tricks, but after that, he is finished.
     What if East doesn't discard a spade?  That's why you were
paying such close attention.  Instead of throwing him in, you
will lead a small heart to the ace, catching the now singleton
king.  The queen of hearts will become the ninth trick.  It
really pays to watch the opponents discards.       
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