BridgeHands

Rectify the Count - To deliberately lose one or more tricks in preparation for a squeeze play.

	Q 7 6 A 4 3 2 K 3 K Q 4 3
A J 10 5 4 3 9 8 10 9 8 7 2	Contract: 6N  Declarer: South	2 J 10 7 6 5 6 5 4 J 10 9 8
	K 9 8 K Q A Q J 2 A 7 6 5

West opened 2S but after South ends in 6N, West leads the H9.  Declarer counts 10 quick tricks and 1 slow trick.  To rectify the count and execute the squeeze, play East for the long Hearts and Clubs (West showed 6 Spades).

After winning the HK, South plays the SK.  West must win the trick. Winning the return, Declarer runs Diamonds and cashes the SQ (based on count, East must be out). 

Losing the trick early set the timing to subsequently squeeze East in the "rounded suits".  Failure to rectify the count leads to a failed contract.