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A Shut-up Squeeze

West Deals
N-S Vul
Matchpoints
A J 3
9 2
J 10 9 8 5
K Q 7
K 8 7 6
A Q 10 7 5 3
7
6 2
10 4 2
J 8
6 4 3 2
9 8 5 4
Q 9 5
K 6 4
A K Q
A J 10 3
West North East South
Pass Pass Pass 2 NT
Pass 4 Pass 4
Pass 6 NT Pass Pass
Dbl All Pass

West leads his stiff diamond.
Declarer unblocks the diamonds, then plays a spade to the jack, which wins. Declarer finishes off the diamonds, pitching two hearts from hand, then runs the clubs. On the last club, West is squeezed in spades and hearts:
A 3
9 2
K 8
A Q
Q 9
K
A
If West pitches the Q, South leads the K and West must lead away from the K. If West pitches a spade, declarer gets two spade tricks.
Of course, declarer has to read the end position properly, but at least he has a sporting chance. This contract is much harder to make without the double, so East might be inclined to call it a "shut-up squeeze."
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Thomas Andrews (bridge@thomasoandrews.com), © 1995-2009.
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