Ruff Out

Declarer (and defenders for that matter), can occasionally set up the small cards in a suit, by Ruffing Out all the cards from the opponents hands:

               AQ9

               T97432

               K5

               54

               KJT654

               K

               Q876

               A2

South plays in 4 on the Queen lead. It appears as if South has 4 losers (1 heart, 2 diamonds, 1 club).  So he wins and immediately plays the King.  The opponents win the Ace, cash a club and exit a trump.  Declarer wins in dummy, ruffs a heart high, trump to dummy and another high heart ruff.  When the suit lies 3-3 or doubleton QJ South's 2nd Diamond loser disappears on the hearts.

Note that it is important on the hand to start the hearts right away.  If declarer goes to dummy and tries to sneak a heart through he may go down if the trumps are 3-1 and RHO has the diamond Ace as there will be no entry to enjoy the discards.

Compiled by Lorne Russell 2005