Squeeze Play (bridge) - Classification

Classification

There are several ways to classify squeezes:

  • According to which opponent can be squeezed:
    • In a positional squeeze, only one opponent can be squeezed.
    • In an automatic squeeze, either opponent can be squeezed.
  • According to number of opponents squeezed:
    • In a single squeeze, only one opponent is squeezed.
    • In a double squeeze, both opponents are squeezed.
  • According to number of suits involved:
    • In a two-suit squeeze, there are menaces in two suits.
    • In a three-suit squeeze, there are menaces in three suits.
    • In a compound squeeze, there are menaces in three suits (against one); then, menaces in three suits (against both opponents). It could be named a six-suit squeeze.
    • The peculiar and rare single-suit squeeze is actually a type of endplay rather than a real squeeze.
  • According to what is gained:
    • In a material squeeze, the opponents are forced to give up a trick directly.
    • In a non-material squeeze, the opponents are forced to give up strategic position. For example, an opponent can be squeezed out of an exit card or a card that disturbs declarer's entries. An extra trick, however, may materialize later.
  • According to the count rectification:
    • In a squeeze with the count, the count is rectified before the squeeze card is played, and declarer will lose no more tricks. These are typically material squeezes.
    • In a squeeze without the count, the count is not yet rectified. These are typically non-material squeezes, often with a throw-in in the end position.

Most of the common types of squeezes (and some of the rare ones) have names:

Type of Squeeze Positional or
Automatic		 Opponents Suits Material or
Non-material		 Count
Rectified
Simple squeeze Either Single 2 Yes Yes
Criss-cross squeeze Automatic Single 2 Yes Yes
Trump squeeze Either Single 2 Yes Yes
Progressive squeeze
(aka Triple squeeze)		 Positional Single 3 Yes Yes
Double squeeze Either Double 3 Yes Yes
Compound squeeze Positional Double 3 Yes Yes
Entry-shifting squeeze Positional Single 2 Yes Yes
Single-suit squeeze Positional Single 1 Yes No
Strip squeeze Positional Single 2-3 Yes No
Backwash squeeze Positional Single 2 Yes Yes
Suicide squeeze
(aka Cannibal squeeze)		 Positional Single 2 Yes Yes*
Stepping-stone squeeze Positional Either 2 No No
Guard squeeze Positional Either 2-3 Yes Yes
Vice squeeze Positional Single 2-3 Yes No
Winkle squeeze Positional Single 3 No No
Clash squeeze Positional Either 3 Yes Yes
Saturated squeeze Positional Double 4 Yes Yes
Pseudo-squeeze N/A N/A N/A No N/A
Entry squeeze Either Either 3 No No
Knockout squeeze Either Single 3 No No

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