From                  30th May, 2007, Board 24

                                          Theme               Cross-Ruffing

                                          Difficulty           * * *

                                          Dlr West           None Vul               Hands Rotated

                                                                                                  for Convenience

West leads the unbid Diamond suit, playing the Four, which, upon inquiry is a “3^rd or 5^th” lead.  South plays the Ten on this trick.

The obvious lines of play here are:

-         Either, draw trumps and score 3 or 4 Heart tricks.

-         Or, embark upon a cross-ruff.

What’s your choice?

SOLUTION

Dummy is somewhat short of entries, thanks to the potential blockage in the Heart suit.  It may prove impossible to get the Dummy entries for the drawing of trumps, and also enjoy the Hearts.  Surely the right play at Trick One is to duck the opening lead.  This play sets the scene for a cross-ruff but also keeps open the other option.  Here is the full layout:

	♠ T983 ♥ AK94 ♦ 8753 ♣ 7
♠ A54 ♥ 82 ♦ K642 ♣ KJT2	North    West         East            South	♠ Q8 ♥ Q763 ♦ QJT ♣ Q965
	♠ KJ72 ♥ JT5 ♦ A9 ♣ A843

If we duck the opening lead, we set up a cross-ruff, but also keep open the possibility of drawing trumps and scoring some Heart tricks.  Here is what will happen when South’s T♦ wins the opening trick:

-         If South shifts to a trump, it makes it easier for Declarer to draw trumps and play on Hearts.

-         If South continues Diamonds, the scene is set for a cross ruff.

Either way, Declarer will score 9 tricks.

Keys for Success

   - Ducking the opening Diamond lead in preparation for a cross-ruff