The Cross-Ruff By John Brown. Example of: «Winning Tricks» por John Brown
In cross-ruff the aim is to make your trumps separately.
Throughout the play of the hand you may not be able to lead safely even a single round of trumps, and if you have to give up the lead you may be sure your opponents will lead trump.
If you have four trumps in each hand and are fortunate enough, because of favourable distribution to be able to make each of them separately, it is a highly profitable procedure.
The Cross-Ruff often requires great care, the entries for the plan must be counted, You must guard against an over ruff by, if necessary and when you can afford if, trumpling high
See the example:
| North | |
 A 8 7 6 4 A Q 7 6  K  7 4 2 |
|
| South | |
| 3 K J 9 8 A 8 7 4 2 A K 8 |
Dealer South N/S Vul
| West | North | East | South |
| Pass | 1 |
||
| Pass | 1 |
Pass | 2 |
| Pass | 4 |
Pass | 5 |
| Pass | 6 |
End |
Contract: 6
Lead: Q
West led Q, wich dummy’s K won. The A took the next trick, and declarer’s A was made and club discarded in dummy.
The A was then made, and a spade ruffed by declarer. Delcrer’s K was played and his last club led and ruffed with the 6. Theposition become:
| North | |
| 8 7 6 A Q 7 |
|
| South |
|
| K J 9 8 7 4 |
No matter what the adverse distribution, declarer need only lose one trick. He should ruff high in each hand, ruffing his spades with the K and the J, and the diamonds with A and the Q.
The last spade is ruffled with the 9; this will draw West’s 10. But dummy’s 7 will become in a winner.
The 4 Hands:
| A 8 7 6 4 A Q 7 6 K 7 4 2 |
||
| 10 9 10 4 Q J 10 9 6 10 9 6 3 |
K Q J 5 2 5 3 2 5 3 Q J 5 |
|
| 3 K J 9 8 A 8 7 4 2 A K 8 |