The Dare to Practice/Declare series has featured many squeezes (among other things) and so this hand should interest those who have been playing in that. One issue that can arise is whether a potential squeeze is the best line. So let's look at that. I will largely be repeating what you said.
As you note, we do not want to pitch the third
from dummy prematurely. Also the
9 and 3 play no role. Assuming we can run the spades we have 6+2+1+3=12 top tricks. So: Win the
cash the top
, ruff a
, cash 2 more
throwing the
9,3. E shows out. So W started with four spades. Can he really have
Qxx? Maybe, but then he bid 5
on a six card suit. And wait! E played the
T when we ruffed back to hand. Surely if he had Txx he would hold onto the T, seeing the 9 on the board. Could he have JTx? That gives W an initial
KQxxxx for his 5
call. And EW are vul! Anything is possible, but I think W has seven diamonds. If so, the
-
squeeze is in place.
AK, ruff a diamond back to hand, cash the remaining spades, throwing hearts, coming down to
Dummy
AKQ8
Hand
J
973.
E has an unsolvable problem. Just as you said.
This was an exciting auction, but also a potentially helpful auction for S. If W stays quiet, there might well be more attractive options in the play. Given the 5
call, the
-
squeeze on E is surely the best bet.
I am really glad to see your posts. I was hoping the forum would lead to some conversations. And I do think that a hand where the squeeze works but where one can imagine other options is a useful hand. The squeeze is easy enough to run but declarer must see it as possible, and then he also must choose it as the best bet. I think that it is.