Combine forcing out with finessing
A squishing finesse is a combination of forcing out your opponents’ honor, and finessing.
“Huh? You’re gonna have to show me that one…
“
Example 1
| Dummy ♥ 4 3 2 |
| You ♥ Q J T |
This is the key element of executing a “squeezing finesse.” By leading hearts repeatedly, you can strategically force out the ♥K and ♥A, thereby establishing a winning heart trick for yourself.
The ♥QJT are not considered “vulnerable honors” in this situation because they hold equal value whether you lead them directly or play toward them. Both approaches can be used effectively to gain control of the suit and set up your winning trick.
Now let’s turn it into a finesse…
Example 2
| Dummy ♠ A 3 2 |
| You ♠ Q J T |
Let’s imagine your ♠QJT is backed by the ♠A in the dummy.
If the ♠K is positioned favorably (in the West hand), you can potentially force it out, allowing you to promote your ♠JT to winning cards without losing a trick.
Begin by leading your ♠Q and observe whether the ♠K is played. If it appears, capture it with your ♠A, effectively promoting your lower honors (♠J and ♠T) to winning cards. This play ensures you lose no spade tricks and allows you to secure all three rounds of the suit.
If the ♠K is not played in response to your lead of the ♠Q, allow the card from the dummy to remain low. This transforms your play into a finesse. If the ♠K is favorably positioned on the expected side, your ♠Q will win the trick.
After that, continue by leading the ♠J and repeat the finesse. This strategy allows you to win three rounds of spades while successfully promoting your remaining honors without losing a trick.
A “squeezing finesse” can be challenging to visualize because it appears to go against the conventional guideline of leading toward weaker honors. If your ♠Q were unsupported by promotable honors, it would indeed be considered a vulnerable card, and leading it would not be advisable.
However, honors like the ♠Q are not “vulnerable” when leading them forces out an opponent’s critical card and establishes new winning cards in your hand. By forcing out the ♠K, you effectively neutralize its power, promoting your ♠J and ♠T to winning cards. This strategy allows you to take control of the suit and secure additional tricks.
An extra honor
Example 2 (repeated)
| Dummy ♠ A 3 2 |
| You ♠ Q J T |
Take note that you hold an additional honor in the suit—four spade honors to play across three rounds. This inevitably means that two of your honors will overlap and be played together on the same trick, no matter how you choose to proceed.
When your squeezing finesse works—when the critical honor (the ♠K) is positioned favorably—the opponent’s honor is forced to cover the honor you lead. At this moment, you “capture” their critical card by playing your higher honor to win the trick. This strategic overlap is beneficial, as it neutralizes their honor and promotes your remaining lesser honors (♠J and ♠T) to winning cards. By successfully forcing their honor into play, you establish control of the suit and set up additional tricks.
Example 3
| Dummy ♣ J T 3 |
| You ♣ A Q 2 |
In this scenario, you hold the same honors, but they are distributed across different hands.
One approach would be to lead toward the ♣AQ and finesse, hoping the ♣K is positioned favorably on your right. If successful, you could then use an entry to the dummy to lead the ♣J for a second finesse, creating a “squeezing finesse.”
While this sequence of plays is effective, it is not the most efficient. Can you think of a better approach?
A more efficient strategy is to reverse the sequence of maneuvers. Begin with a squeezing finesse by leading the ♣J on the first round. If it wins, the lead will remain in the dummy, allowing you to repeat the finesse without needing an additional entry to the dummy. This adjustment streamlines your play and increases your chances of success.
If you don’t have a dummy entry, or if you need it for something else, the squishing finesse may be the only way to succeed.
Review
Example 4
| Dummy ♠ K 7 2 ♥ Q J 8 2 ♦ A 5 3 ♣ 4 3 2 |
| You ♠ 5 4 ♥ A T 6 ♦ Q T 8 7 2 ♣ A Q 7 |
This deal presents an opportunity to execute a squeezing finesse.
Which card should you lead to maximize your chances of forcing out your opponents’ critical honor while simultaneously promoting your own lower-ranking honors to winning status?
Uh-oh! The ♣Q is a vulnerable card in this situation. To handle it effectively, lead from the North hand and finesse using the ♣Q. This gives you the best chance to succeed if the opposing critical card is favorably positioned.
Sorry, not the ♦Q. If your opponents cover it with their ♦K, you don’t hold the honor that gets promoted.
You found it! Lead the ♥Q, and watch to see if the ♥K is played. If it is, squish it and promote your ♥J and ♥T.
Uh-oh! The ♠K is a vulnerable card that will lose if played directly, as it would be overtaken by the ♠A. To improve your chances of success when playing spades, lead toward the ♠K instead. This strategy gives you the opportunity to win a trick if the ♠A is positioned favorably on the opponent’s side.
Example 5
| Dummy ♠ A 5 2 ♥ Q T 8 ♦ K 9 3 2 ♣ J T 2 |
| You ♠ Q J 6 ♥ A J 6 ♦ J T 8 7 ♣ A K 7 |
In this scenario, there is an opportunity for a squeezing finesse in each suit.
Which specific cards should you lead in each suit, and what outcomes are you aiming to achieve in each case?
Take a moment to analyze the situation and prepare your answers before checking the solutions.
Lead the ♣J. If the♣Q is on your right, you will be able to either finesse it or squish it, winning three club tricks.
Lead the ♦J, preparing to finesse for (or squish) the ♦Q. If the ♦J, ♦Q, ♦K, and ♦A all play on the first round, your ♦T, ♦9, and ♦8 will win the next three ♦ tricks.
Lead the ♥Q, and watch to see if the ♥K is played. If it is, squish it and promote your ♥J and ♥T. If it isn’t played, finessing for it will win three heart tricks when the ♥K is on sides.
Lead the ♠Q, hoping to squish the ♠K. This promotes your ♠J to master status. You will then have two spade winners without losing the lead.
The squishing double finesse
Example 6
| Dummy ♦ A 9 4 |
| You ♦ J T 2 |
This is a squishing double finesse.
You lead the ♦J, squishing either the ♦Q or ♦K if it covers your ♦J. After that, you have the ♦T9 to force out their one remaining master, establishing your second diamond trick.
And if the ♦J isn’t covered, follow with the ♦4, a double finesse. You assume this will lose, but later you can lead the ♦T for a second finesse, which you hope wins your second diamond trick. This succeeds except when the ♦K and ♦Q are both off sides. The odds favor success by 3 to 1.
Example 7
| Dummy ♠ A T 2 ♥ Q 9 8 ♦ K 9 3 2 ♣ J T 9 |
| You ♠ J 9 6 ♥ A J 3 ♦ T 8 7 4 ♣ A 5 4 |
Now let’s look at more squishing double finesses.
Make a plan for each suit before looking at the answers.
Start by leading the ♣J, planning to finesse. If the finesse is unsuccessful, follow up by leading the ♣T and attempt the finesse once more.
This strategy ensures that if at least one of the opponents holds a club honor, you will secure two club tricks.
Start by leading the ♦T with the intention of finessing to capture the missing diamond honors. If either the ♦J or ♦Q appears, play accordingly to capture it.
This approach allows you to establish your lower diamond cards as winners, ultimately securing two diamond tricks. By promoting these spot cards, you ensure control over the suit.
This is a hard one. Lead the ♥Q, hoping to squish the ♥K.
With the big honors played, cross to the North and lead the ♥9 for a squishing finesse against the ♥T.
If the ♥K and ♥T are both on sides, you will win three heart tricks.
Begin by leading the ♠J, aiming to capture the ♠K or ♠Q. Successfully doing so will promote your lower spade cards, allowing you to force out the remaining high spade and secure two spade tricks.
If the ♠J is not covered, take the finesse, intending to repeat the finesse later. If either finesse is successful, you will achieve your second spade trick. This method provides a strategic path to maximize your chances of winning tricks in the spade suit..
Review
Example 8
| Dummy ♠ J 9 3 |
| You ♠ K T 8 4 |
If you lead from the North toward your vulnerable ♠K, your opponents will inevitably win tricks with both the ace and the queen, regardless of which player holds these high cards. This sequence ensures that the ♠K will not escape losing to the superior honors on the opposing side.If you lead from the North toward your losing ♠K, you will eventually lose tricks to the ace and queen no matter which opponent holds them.
How might you avoid losing to the ♠Q?
The ♠K is a losing honor. Don’t lead it. Lead toward it.
In additon, combine leading toward it with a finesse. Lead the ♠J.
The ♠K is a losing honor. Don’t lead it. Lead toward it.
In additon, combine leading toward it with a finesse. Lead the ♠J.
Lead the ♠J, preparing to finesse. If the ♠Q covers your ♠J, squish it, promoting your ♠T, ♠9, and ♠8. The ace will be your only spade loser.
Example 9
| Dummy ♥ Q J 8 |
| You ♥ A T 6 |
How do you play this combination to win three heart tricks?
This fails. When you lead ♥A, it will win the trick. But your opponents will save their ♥K for the next trick.
Correct. If the ♥K isn’t played, follow with the ♥6, finessing for the the ♥K.
If the ♥K covers the ♥Q, squish it, while promoting your ♥J and ♥T.
You’d better rethink this. Leading the ♥6 makes it easy for the opponents to win a trick with their ♥K.
Example 10
| Dummy ♦ A 8 6 4 |
| You ♦ J T 9 |
How do you play this combination to win three heart tricks?
Playing the ♦A on the first round is not the best plan.
Your opponents will save their ♦K and ♦Q for the next two tricks.
If you don’t squish one of their honors, you will lose two diamond tricks.
Playing the ♦A on the second round is not the most effective strategy.
When you play the ♦A, your opponents will simply follow with low diamond cards, keeping their high cards protected.
If you fail to capture one of their honors during this process, you will end up losing two tricks in the diamond suit. A more calculated approach is needed to maximize your chances of minimizing losses.
Correct. If one of the diamond honors is on sides, you’ll be able to squish it.
Taking two finesses succeeds unless BOTH the ♦K and ♦Q are off sides.
Example 11
| Dummy ♣ A K 2 |
| You ♣ T 9 8 |
Assume each opponent holds at least 3 clubs.
Is there any lie of the cards where you can win all three club tricks?
Three options
Example 12
| Dummy ♦ Q J 3 |
| You ♦ A 4 2 |
You can play this diamond combination effectively without jeopardizing your honors, as you have three honors available for three rounds of diamonds. One approach is to cash the ♦A first and then lead toward your ♦QJ.
This forces out the ♦K, allowing you to establish a second diamond trick while making full use of your high cards. Another approach is to start by leading low toward the ♦Q. This play drives out the ♦K early, securing a second diamond trick while retaining the ♦A as a valuable entry to the South hand for later use.
A third option is to lead the ♦Q directly in an attempt at a finesse. No matter which side holds the ♦K, it will be forced out, ensuring you still secure two diamond tricks.
The third option might be the best choice if the ♦K is favorably positioned. This finesse allows you to win two diamond tricks without losing the lead, preserving control of the play.
However, one of the first two options might be better if the lead begins in the South hand. In that case, it could be more strategic to avoid using up a critical entry in the dummy for the purpose of executing the finesse with the ♦Q.
These approaches allow for flexibility depending on the specific requirements of the hand.
For example…
Example 13
| Dummy ♠ A 3 2 ♥ 5 4 3 2 ♦ Q J 3 ♣ 4 3 2 |
| You ♠ 5 4 ♥ K Q J T ♦ A 5 4 2 ♣ A K Q |
They lead the ♣J against your 3N contract. You are lucky they didn’t start spades. You need nine tricks to make 3N. How many do you have?
Correct.
3 clubs + 1 diamond
+ 1 spade = 5 masters.
You can establish 3 more by driving out the ♥A, and a ninth one with your ♦QJ.
No, not 7.
3 clubs + 1 diamond
+ 1 spade = 5 masters.
You can establish 3 more by driving out the ♥A, and a ninth one with your ♦QJ.
No, not 8.
3 clubs + 1 diamond
+ 1 spade = 5 masters.
You can establish 3 more by driving out the ♥A, and a ninth one with your ♦QJ.
No, not 9. At least not yet.
3 clubs + 1 diamond
+ 1 spade = 5 masters.
You can establish 3 more by driving out the ♥A, and a ninth one with your ♦QJ.
Should you cross to the dummy and try the squishing finesse in diamonds?
To play this hand correctly, you should avoid starting by crossing to the dummy to attempt the diamond finesse. Using the ♠A to cross would deplete your spade stopper. When the opponents gain the lead, whether with the ♥A or an unfavorable ♦K, they could potentially cash enough spade winners to defeat your contract.
Instead, you must prioritize leading hearts to establish three heart tricks while you still have control over the spade suit. The ♠A serves as your vital spade stopper, preventing the opponents from running their spades prematurely. After driving out the ♥A, carefully observe which suit they return. If they attack spades and remove your stopper, you will have no choice but to attempt the finesse in diamonds, as losing the lead again would jeopardize your contract. If the ♦K is favorably placed, the finesse will succeed, allowing you to secure your nine tricks and fulfill the 3NT contract.
On the other hand, if they win the ♥A and return a suit other than spades, you can confidently choose any of the diamond plays outlined in example 39 to secure nine tricks without risk. In fact, leading toward the losing diamond honors might even allow you to make ten tricks under the right conditions.
Go to the next topic:
Drop Their Honor