crossruff

[ noun kraws-ruhf, -ruhf, kros-; verb 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.

From New York Times

This walked into a defensive crossruff to go down one.

From New York Times

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

From New York Times

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

From New York Times

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.

From New York Times