Calculating winners

Crossruffing, trumping in both hands, is very committal. If it fails (an opponent overruffing, for example), there is no Plan B. For, with both your trump lengths shortened, the opposing trumps can never be drawn. Only embark on a crossruff, therefore, when you have no sound alternative line (e.g. setting up a side-suit, ruffing in one hand but not both etc).

What happened
Declarer won ♣ K lead with ♣ A, and correctly planned a crossruff. The shortage opposite length in both red suits (headed by the aces to boot), together with good trumps made this a clear cut choice.

At Trick Two declarer crossed to ♥ A then ruffed ♥ 3 (with ♠ 8). He then cashed ♦ A and ruffed ♦ 2 with ♠ 2 (West’s queen dropping). He ruffed ♥ 6 with ♠ J, then ruffed a third diamond with ♠ 7.

Oops. West overruffed with ♠ 9 and promptly returned a trump. This removed two of declarer’s trumps (including dummy’s final trump, ♠ K), and declarer wound up a trick short. Down one.

What should have happened
With three outside top tricks (♥ A, ♦ A, ♣ A), declarer only needs to score seven of his eight trumps to make 4 ♠. He does not need to risk an overruff on the third diamond. The indicated line is: Win ♣ A, and cash the two red aces (say ♥ A first). Then ruff ♦ 2 with ♠ 7, ruff ♥ 3 with ♠ 8, ruff ♦ 4 with ♠ 10 (note), ruff ♥ 6 with ♠ J, ruff ♦ 5 with ♠ Q, ruff ♥ 7 with ♠ K, ruff ♦ 9 with ♠ A. 10 tricks and game made.

If you remember one thing...
When planning a crossruff, count your side-suit top tricks to see how many trump tricks are needed.