west	north	east	south
-	-	Pass	2♣
Pass	2♦	Pass	2NT
Pass	3♣1	Pass	3♠2
Pass	3NT	All Pass
		1 Puppet Stayman    2 Shows 5 Spades

Opening lead: Three of Hearts
North-South Vulnerable

Very recently, this hand was Board #18 in Khatib's Virtual Game on BBO and provided a great example of squeeze play, that fascinating part of our game.
 
On a heart lead and with diamonds breaking, declarer can count ten tricks - five diamonds, two hearts, two clubs and the ace of spades. But an additional overtrick, so prized at matchpoint play, can be scored, even against best defense. Do you see how?  More on this particular hand later...
 
A Quick Squeeze Tutorial
 
If you've ever studied squeeze play you probably know that some types are very elaborate and difficult, and make serious demands on memory and experience. But many of the simplest squeezes almost play themselves. Still, even a basic squeeze requires recognition, and often at least some preparation to operate. Sharpening your awareness can keep squeeze opportunities from slipping away.

Numerous skilled authors have written many, many pages on the topic, but I have a favorite. In 1959 in his seminal work, Bridge Squeezes Complete, author Clyde Love provided just about everything you might want to know about squeezes. I liked Love's terminology and hand classifications, and found his explanation of the basics very helpful - although I found his later chapters with their complex and sometimes esoteric examples a very tough read.

Still, I recommend Love's book to serious tournament players and enterprising bridge fans of all skill levels. It's even a part of Bill Gates' bridge library (I know because I put it there).
 
Squeeze is just a Four Letter Word
 
Love's methods of explaining squeeze mechanics introduces a useful mnemonic that describes the necessary conditions for a squeeze. It is the four-letter acronym BLUE and provides the following squeeze requirements "checklist":

The player you want to squeeze must be Busy at guarding two suits (ie, no safe discards, and no help available from partner)

The Loser count should be ONE, with declarer able to take all other remaining tricks.

At least one threat (the card that will become a winner if the hand before it discards that suit) must be behind the player being squeezed - that is, in the Upper hand

There will need to be an Entry for cashing any winner(s) the squeeze produces once established.

An example of applying BLUE.

Since each opponent initially guards the 3rd round of clubs, two simple squeezes are needed and here will occur  on the same trick - a heart-club squeeze against west, and a spade-club squeeze against east.

After winning the opening heart lead with his Jack, declarer tests diamonds by cashing ace-king. When both opponents follow, declarer makes two required key plays.
 
The first key play is to rectify the loser count. BLUE tells us that we need to be down to all winners but one when the squeeze trick is reached, but so far we've lost no tricks. Our goal is to take 11, so its time to safely lose two.
 
So declarer should next lead a a low spade from hand toward dummy. East wins, and his failure to return a heart confirms his shortness. East continues with the ♠Q, as good for the defense as anything, and declarer should duck his ace. Declarer wins the third round of spades and has "rectified" the loser count to one.
 
Next, it's time for the hand's 2nd key play - a Vienna Coup - a necessary play for timing and control, and a topic reserved for a later column. So the ♥A is cashed, discarding a club from dummy. Love's "U" requirement is affirmed by noting that our "heart threat" against west will be dummy's ♥8.
 
This is 4-card ending (cards already played shown in pink):