Page 70 - Learn Bridge Ver2_Neat

The proper technique for a crossruff.

There are some dangers in this Í A 8 5 4 2
technique and you must observe certain Ì K 7 6 3 11 points
precautions, as our next hand shows. Ë Q 10 4
Ê Q
Í J 10 Í K Q 9 6 3
Let us choose, mistakenly, to play in Ì Q 9 5 4 2 Ì J 8
diamonds instead of the easy 9 tricks in Ë 3 Ë J 7 6 2
notrump. Ê K J 9 5 2 Ê 10 4
Í 7
Ì A 10 15 points
Counting our quick tricks by power we
Ë A K 9 8 5
have 3 diamonds, 2 hearts and two black Ê A 8 7 6 3
Aces. 7 in all.

Adding tricks from other sources we see that we have hopefully 2 tricks by
length in diamonds. Also we could ruff clubs in the dummy and two ruffs
should do it but if we could ruff three that would take care of a possible
trump loser.

Losers. We have four losers in clubs but we aim to ruff some of those.

Manage the hand after a spade lead. Win and play a club to the Ace and
ruff a club and then ruff a spade. Now, before proceeding to ruff some
more it is imperative to use a little technique. Look what happens if we try
to ruff another club with our Ë10 in this position. East over ruffs and fires
back a trump.

However, more importantly if we ruff with the Queen East simply
discards a heart and trump one of our top hearts when we try to cash
them. So, the proper technique is -
Í 8 5 4
Let us try that and win our two heart
Ì 7 6
tricks at tricks 2 and three and then start
Ë Q 10
cross ruffing. At this point these cards are Ì Q 9 5 Í K Q 9
left when we have to lead from the hand - Ë 3 Ë J 7 6 2
We now play a club and trump with the Ê K J 9
Queen! This makes sure that East cannot Ë A K 9 8
Ê 8 7 6

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