Triple squeeze
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A triple squeeze is a contract bridge squeeze against one player, in three suits; a more explicit definition is "three simple squeezes against the same player."
It is often equated with "progressive squeeze" (also termed a "repeating squeeze"), but progressive squeezes are a subset of triple squeezes. A progressive squeeze is a triple squeeze that, depending both on entries and on positional factors, may result in a subsequent, simple, two-suit squeeze that takes place against the opponent who has just been triple squeezed. Confusing the issue is that some triple squeezes can become progressive squeezes through misdefense.
Here is an example of a triple squeeze that should not become progressive:
| ♠♤ | A 5 2 | ||||
| ♥ | J 10 8 2 | ||||
| ♦ | 9 4 2 | ||||
| ♣♧ | A 6 4 | ||||
| ♠♤ | Q J 10 | N |
♠♤ | 8 7 6 4 | |
| ♥ | 6 3 | ♥ | 7 | ||
| ♦ | A K Q J 10 | ♦ | 8 7 5 3 | ||
| ♣♧ | Q J 10 | ♣♧ | 8 7 3 2 | ||
| ♠♤ | K 9 3 | ||||
| ♥ | A K Q 9 5 4 | ||||
| ♦ | 6 | ||||
| ♣♧ | K 9 5 | ||||
South, pushed to 5♥ by the nonvulnerable opponents, ruffs the second diamond lead and runs hearts to reach this position:
| ♠♤ | A 5 2 | ||||
| ♥ | — | ||||
| ♦ | 9 | ||||
| ♣♧ | A 6 4 | ||||
| ♠♤ | Q J 10 | N |
♠♤ | 8 7 6 | |
| ♥ | — | ♥ | — | ||
| ♦ | Q | ♦ | — | ||
| ♣♧ | Q J 10 | ♣♧ | 8 7 3 2 | ||
| ♠♤ | K 9 3 | ||||
| ♥ | 9 | ||||
| ♦ | — | ||||
| ♣♧ | K 9 5 | ||||
South cannot be prevented from winning six more tricks, and if West isn't careful South will win all seven. When South leads his last heart, West is triple-squeezed and must discard the to stop the overtrick. Now South discards dummy's and crosses to the . Dummy's is cashed, South discards the , and West lets go the . South can now cash two clubs and a spade but must give up either a spade or a club at the end.
If West discarded from a black suit when South cashed the final heart, the position would progress to another squeeze, of the simple squeeze variety. The reason that this does not occur after the is discarded on the is that a squeezed position requires that at least one threat sit over the squeezed opponent. After West discards, say, the on the , dummy discards a small club, keeping dummy's as a threat sitting over West's . Now South can cash the , the and the to effect another squeeze, a simple two-suit squeeze in spades and diamonds, against West.
But if West discards the on South's final heart, South cannot arrange for a threat to sit over West's black suit holdings, a progressive squeeze cannot mature, and South is held to the one additional trick he gets from the triple squeeze.