Page 69 - Learn Bridge Ver2_Neat

A special technique with trumps.

Sometimes we need extra skill to make our contract. This is called -

The cross ruff

It is shown clearly with the next two hands. The first demonstrates the
technique well so keep C. A. L. M -
Í A J 9 5
Count your quick tricks by power. In top Ì A J 8 4 10 points
tricks we have 2 spades, 1 heart, 1 Ë 7
Ê 9 6 5 4
diamond and 1 club, 5 in all. Not that
Í Q 10 8 3 Í 6
many. Ì K 9 5 2 Ì Q 10 7 3
Ë K Q 10 Ë J 8 5 2
Add tricks from other sources. 1 possible Ê K 3 Ê J 10 8 2
Í K 7 4 2
trick by position in clubs if the finesse
Ì 6 13 points
works but we can trump a few hearts and
Ë A 9 6 4 3
diamonds. Ah, I think that there is Ê A Q 7
something called a “cross ruff”, maybe
that will work. Let’s try for the spade game.

Losers? We might have a trump loser and a club loser or 2. So that is okay.

Manage the play after the ËK is led. Well we can win the diamond and
play a heart to the Ace. Ruff a heart and ruff a diamond, ruff another heart
and another diamond and a third heart. We will have this left -
Proceed to that position and regroup.
Í A J
Ê 9 6 5 4
We are now in the position shown and we Í Q 10 8 3 Í 6
are about to lead another diamond. When you Ë Ë J
lead a diamond and West shows out you can Ê K 3 Ê J 10 8 2
Í K
afford to ruff low. You can now play a club to
Ë 9 6
the Ace and ruff the last diamond. 11 tricks, 3
Ê A Q 7
Aces and 8 trump tricks! Write down the
score.

55