Rectify the Count

When executing a squeeze it is a necessary condition to have exactly 1 loser remaining (for most squeezes). To get to this position it is frequently necessary to lose 1 or more tricks and "Rectify The Count":

                                   W       N       E       S

              QJ2               P       1    3      6NT

              AKQ5           (all pass)

              954

              764

983                       T7

JT43                     987

Q3                        KJT762

QJT2                    93

             AK654

             62

             A8

             AK85

West leads the Queen which East overtakes.  South has 11 top tricks (5 Spades, 3 Hearts, 1 Diamond & 2 Clubs).  A 12th trick in Hearts is possible if they are 3-3 or, if West has 4 Hearts and 4 Clubs, a squeeze will work.  In order to run the squeeze South must duck the first diamond and "Rectify the Count".  South wins the continuation and runs the Spades, on the last Spade West must unguard either the Heart or the Club.  Note that if South had won the first Diamond and run the Spades we would reach this position:

               ----

               AKQ3

               9

               764

----                       ----

JT43                     987

3                           JT7

QJT2                    93

               5 

               62         

               8

               AK85

When South cashes the last good Spade, West can discard a diamond and the squeeze fails.  So we can see that "Rectifying the Count" is necessary so that when the final squeeze card is played, the hand with the 2 stoppers has no free discard to make.

To learn more about squeezes refer to Clyde Love's classic Bridge Squeezes Complete , now available in a fully interactive computer program.

Compiled by Lorne Russell 2005