Vice

The Vice is a squeeze used to overcome a blocked entry position.  In the position below, declarer has all the tricks but one, (2 good Diamonds and a Spade), but can't cash them:

                     --

                     J7

                     K2

                     --

4                                     --

Q8                                  K6

5                                     JT

--                                    --

                    K

                    T4

                    Q

                    --

South plays the King and discards the 7 from dummy.  East has no good discard.  If he throws a diamond, South can overtake the Queen.  If he discards a low heart, south cashes the Queen and exits a heart to East is now a Stepping Stone a must provide the entry to the good diamond.  And finally, if he discards the King, South cashes the Queen and leads low Heart and West can win or duck, it makes no difference.          

Compiled by Lorne Russell 2005