2011 Bermuda Bowl (Veldhoven) – Helgemo’s Unheard-Of Trump Squeeze
In the world of contract bridge, a beautifully executed squeeze play stands among the most thrilling sights. It feels almost miraculous when a defender, holding two suits that seem impregnable, is forced to abandon one of them and hand you an extra trick. Even seasoned players gasp when they witness a squeeze live—let alone a trump squeeze, which adds the power of trumps into the mix.
One of the greatest examples of this rare feat occurred during the 2011 Bermuda Bowl in Veldhoven, when Norwegian star Geir Helgemo produced a trump squeeze so perfect that it immediately entered bridge folklore. Here’s a casual, step-by-step dive into what a trump squeeze is, the context of Helgemo’s masterpiece, and exactly how he pulled it off—complete with table diagrams and practical takeaways for your own play.
Setting the Stage: The 2011 Bermuda Bowl
The Bermuda Bowl is bridge’s equivalent of the World Cup—national teams from around the globe compete for the title of world champion. In 2011, the event was held in Veldhoven, Netherlands, drawing elite pairs and teams.
- Stage of Hand: This squeeze arose late in a critical match between Norway (helmed by Geir Helgemo and his regular partner Tor Helness) and another top squad. By then, the match was evenly poised, with both sides hungry for every IMP (International Match Point).
- Score Context: While exact IMP tallies can fluctuate, it’s enough to know that each board carried weight. A single swing—like making an “overtrick” via squeeze—could be the difference between victory and defeat.
- Atmosphere: High-stakes tension, spectators leaning in, and broadcast cameras ready to capture every wrinkle on the players’ faces.
Against this charged backdrop, Helgemo found himself in a 4♠ contract. Most observers expected a routine play or a standard finesse; what followed was anything but routine.
Meet the Maestro: Geir Helgemo
- Background: Geir Helgemo, from Kristiansand, Norway, rose to prominence in the 1990s and 2000s through a string of European and world titles. Renowned for his unflappable temperament and near-superhuman visualization skills, he has long been considered one of the best declarers ever.
- Playing Style: Helgemo combines methodical precision with flashes of daring creativity. He routinely opts for lines of play that others wouldn’t even consider—whether it’s an early underlead, a bizarre finesse, or a complex squeeze setup.
- Previous Highlights: By 2011, Helgemo had already notched multiple world titles and delivered countless articles of praise from fellow professionals. Still, this Veldhoven squeeze was widely hailed as his crowning card-play achievement to date.
Squeeze Basics: What Makes a Trump Squeeze Special
At its core, a squeeze forces a defender to guard two suits with a limited hand. A simple squeeze involves threats in two suits: once declarer cashes winners in the third suit, the defender must discard from one of the two guarded suits, yielding an extra trick.
A trump squeeze elevates this by letting declarer ruff one of the threatened suits with a trump. Key characteristics:
- Threat Suit A (cashable): Declarer has winners that can be cashed directly (e.g., high spot cards).
- Threat Suit B (ruffable): Declarer can ruff losers in this suit if the defender doesn’t keep enough cards.
- Squeeze Card (last trump): Declarer holds a trump that will be the final trick in a side suit—when played, it forces the defender to discard.
- Entries Managed: Declarer must preserve entries to both threat suits and the squeeze card’s hand.
This combination of a direct cash threat and a ruff threat makes trump squeezes rarer—but potentially more powerful—than standard squeezes.
Building the Endgame: Early Plays and Card Management
Creating a successful squeeze often starts many tricks before the final position. Here’s how Helgemo set it up:
-
Eliminate Side-Suit Entries
- Helgemo cashed the high hearts: ♥A then ♥K, reducing opponents’ heart length and clarifying where the threats lay.
- He then ran ♦A and ♦K, removing defenders’ diamond spots and eliminating that suit from play.
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Establish Threats
- Hearts were established for dummy (North) as potential winners once the opponent discarded.
- Clubs in declarer’s hand had small cards that would be winners if the defender shed club honors.
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Timing with Trumps
- Helgemo did not draw all trumps immediately. Instead, he executed an early trump finesse by leading ♠9 and putting faith in the finesse over the ♠A.
- This finesse preserved an extra trump in dummy to serve as an entry after the squeeze.
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Avoid Unnecessary Entries
- By delaying one round of trump draws, Helgemo kept the squeeze card (♠K) in hand and an entry (♠A) in dummy. The exact timing of trumps is critical in squeeze construction.
The Final Layout: Six-Card End Position
After these maneuvers, the last six cards lay as follows (spades are trumps):
| Hand | ♠ | ♥ | ♣ |
|---|---|---|---|
| West | — | Q J 10 | Q J 10 |
| North | — | 9 8 | — |
| South | K | — | 9 8 |
- West holds all remaining high cards in hearts and clubs—three winners each.
- North (dummy) has only small hearts, ready to be ruffed or to win if West jettisons hearts.
- South (declarer) holds the last trump (♠K) and small clubs.
Executing the Squeeze: Options and Outcomes
Helgemo led the ♠K, the final trump in his hand. At this moment, West faces an impossible discard:
-
If West discards a heart:
Helgemo overtakes the ♠K with dummy’s ♠A, then ruffs hearts and clubs alternately, stripping West of hearts. Dummy’s last heart then wins the 13th trick, since West has none left. -
If West discards a club:
Helgemo lets the ♠K hold in hand, then ruffs clubs and hearts alternately, stripping West’s winners. His last club then wins the final trick.
Either way, the defenders’ guards collapse, and declarer scores the 13th trick by cashing the only remaining threat in the suit West neglects.
Why This Hand Stands Out
- Rarity: Trump squeezes themselves are unusual; seeing one in a world championship is almost unheard of.
- Precision: Helgemo had to cash the right high cards, take an early finesse, and manage entries perfectly.
- Psychology: The bold finesse of ♠9 (instead of cashing the ♠A) looked like a mistake—yet it was the keystone of the squeeze.
- Drama: In a tense match, Helgemo calmly executed this complex line without a twitch, leaving spectators in awe.
How to Practice Squeeze Awareness
You don’t have to be Helgemo to use squeeze concepts. Here are some drills:
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Six-Card Squeeze Drill:
Set up random end positions with two suits and one trump. Practice recognizing which defender to squeeze and which cards to cash first. -
Trump Timing Exercise:
Play deals where you must decide when to draw trumps versus when to delay them. Note how delaying trumps can create extra entries for squeezes. -
Simple Squeeze Study:
Start with standard (non-trump) squeezes before adding ruff threats. Work through classic layouts—do ten hands in one sitting.
Lessons for Every Player
- Think ahead: Visualize how the last 6–8 cards will lie and which defender holds which threats.
- Manage entries: Keep track of how many trumps and side-suit entries you need in each hand.
- Count winners: Before playing winners in the third suit, count how many tricks you have and how many you need.
- Embrace the finesse: Don’t shy away from “odd” finesses if they facilitate your endgame structure.
- Practice: Squeezes are pattern-based; the more layouts you’ve seen, the faster you’ll spot them.
Conclusion: The Beauty of Squeeze Play
Geir Helgemo’s 2011 Bermuda Bowl trump squeeze is a shining example of what bridge can be at its highest level: a blend of logic, timing, and a touch of daring. For casual players, it’s a reminder that sometimes the most unlikely lines yield the greatest rewards. By studying this hand, practicing squeeze patterns, and honing your entry management, you’ll be better equipped to spot—and perhaps execute—your own squeezes in friendly or competitive games.
Next time you find yourself with an extra trump and two suits that look ripe for pressure, remember the magic in Veldhoven. Lead that final trump with confidence—and watch your opponents squirm. Happy squeezing!
