Vienna coup

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The Vienna coup is an unblocking technique in contract bridge made in preparation for a squeeze play.[1] It is so named because it was originally published by James Clay (1804-1873) after observing it being executed in the days of whist by "the greatest player in Vienna" — identity unknown.[2]

Examples

♠A J Example 1a
South to lead
♥A
♦—
♣2

N

                 E

S

 ♠K Q
♥K 4
♦—
♣—
♠4
♥Q 2
♦—
♣A
On the play of the ♣A by South, East is squeezed but can escape by throwing a small heart. Although the ♥Q is now set up, South must next play either the ♥Q, ♥2 or ♠4 to be won in dummy and has no entry back to cash it; he must now lose a spade to East.
♠A J Example 1b
South to lead
♥—
♦—
♣2

N

                 E

S

 ♠K Q
♥K
♦—
♣—
♠4
♥Q
♦—
♣A
However, if instead, South plays the ♥2 to the ♥A, East is squeezed when Declarer next leads the ♣2 to the ace.
  • If East discards the ♥K, declarer cashes the ♥Q discarding the ♠J and leads to the ♠A.
  • If East discards the ♠K or ♠Q, declarer cashes the ♠A and ♠J.

References

  1. ↑ Manley, Brent, Editor; Horton, Mark, Co-Editor; Greenberg-Yarbro, Tracey, Co-Editor; Rigal, Barry, Co-Editor (2011). The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge (7th ed.). Horn Lake, MS: American Contract Bridge League. p. 470. ISBN 978-0-939460-99-1. 
  2. ↑ Culbertson, Ely, Editor (1935). The Encyclopedia of Bridge. New York: The Bridge World, Inc. p. 453. 
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