crossruff

[kraws-ruhf, -ruhf, kros-, kraws-ruhf, kros-]

noun

1. a play in which each hand of a partnership alternately trumps a different suit in consecutive plays.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to play by means of a crossruff.

crossruff

/ ˈkrɒsˌrʌf /

noun

1. the alternate trumping of each other's leads by two partners, or by declarer and dummy

verb

1. (intr) to trump alternately in two hands of a partnership

Word History and Origins

Origin of crossruff¹

First recorded in 1585–95; cross- + ruff ²

Example Sentences

After East ruffed, South overruffed, cashed his heart ace and king, then claimed the rest of the tricks on a crossruff.

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This walked into a defensive crossruff to go down one.

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Declarer saw immediately that the deal was set up for a crossruff.

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The normal line of play would have been to cash the three top red suit tricks, then to crossruff clubs and hearts.

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The defense was perfect, the defenders taking the first four tricks with a minor-suit crossruff for plus 500 and a win on the board.

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