Deal 20	♠ A K Q ♥ A K 9 8 ♦ A 10 8 6 3 ♣ 5		WEST   NORTH   EAST   SOUTH 1♦ pass 1♥ pass 4NT pass 5♦ pass 6♥ pass pass pass Agreed that the bidding wasn't much. The final contract is still a good one. South is to play 6♥. West leads the ♠J. Make a Plan, then click NEXT .
	♠ 7 4 2 ♥ Q J 10 7 ♦ 5 ♣ A 8 6 4 2

 

Deal 20 6♥ OL: ♠J	♠ A K Q ♥ A K 9 8 ♦ A 10 8 6 3 ♣ 5		South is to play 6♥. West leads the ♠J. Losers:   ♠ = 0   ♥ = 0   ♦ = 0   ♣ = 4   Total = 4 There really aren't 4 ♣ losers since they can be ruffed in dummy. In fact you should see that this is an ideal cross-ruff hand, ruffing ♣s in dummy and ♦s in your hand. Since neither hand can be over-ruffed you expect to make all 8 trumps. Remember, when playing a cross ruff, you need to take any side suit winners first, otherwise a defender may be able to discard that suit while you are ruffing. So you win the ♠A, then take the ♠K, then . . . what?  NEXT
	♠ 7 4 2 ♥ Q J 10 7 ♦ 5 ♣ A 8 6 4 2

 

Deal 20 6♥ OL: ♠J	♠ A K Q ♥ A K 9 8 ♦ A 10 8 6 3 ♣ 5		South is to play 6♥. West leads the ♠J. Losers:   ♠ = 0   ♥ = 0   ♦ = 0   ♣ = 4   Total = 4 There really aren't 4 ♣ losers since they can be ruffed in dummy. In fact you should see that this is an ideal cross-ruff hand, ruffing ♣s in dummy and ♦s in your hand. Since neither hand can be over-ruffed you expect to make all 8 trumps. Remember, when playing a cross ruff, you need to take any side suit winners first, otherwise a defender may be able to discard that suit while you are ruffing. So you win the ♠A, then take the ♠K, then . . . what? Well, if you win the ♠Q, then the two Minor suit Aces, you'd be set up to cross-ruff the hand out for all 13 tricks. But here's what might happen if you try. East might ruff the ♠Q. OK, no disaster yet. But he might then play a trump. Your slam is now kaput. You can no longer make 8 trump tricks and will end up down 1. The answer is to not be greedy for that overtrick. With West's opening ♠ lead there is an indication of possible length there. So, realizing that East could be short in the suit, take just the 2 ♠ tricks that you need for the slam, then play your Minor Aces and start the cross-ruff.  NEXT to see all four hands.
	♠ 7 4 2 ♥ Q J 10 7 ♦ 5 ♣ A 8 6 4 2

 

Deal 20 6♥ OL: ♠J	♠ A K Q ♥ A K 9 8 ♦ A 10 8 6 3 ♣ 5		When playing a cross-ruff you must take all the side-suit winners you need early so they won't get ruffed later. Don't jeopardize your contract trying to take too many.  Summary
♠ J 10 9 8 3 ♥ 6 ♦ K J 9 7 4 ♣ J 10		♠ 6 5 ♥ 5 4 3 2 ♦ Q 2 ♣ K Q 9 7 3
	♠ 7 4 2 ♥ Q J 10 7 ♦ 5 ♣ A 8 6 4 2