Ruff or discard: the right reflex
Updated
When you're out of the led suit, two options: ruff with a trump or discard another suit. The choice depends on the points at stake and the rules.
What the rules require
In coinche, if you lack the suit you must ruff (often with the duty to overruff if an opponent has already trumped). A common exception: if your partner already wins the trick, the convention lets you discard instead of ruffing. Check your table's rules.
When ruffing pays
- The trick holds many points (ace, ten, last trick) and an opponent is winning it.
- You have small trumps best used this way.
- Ruffing puts you back on lead to run your suit.
When discarding is better
If your partner is winning and you're allowed, keep your trumps for later and discard a useless card. Ruffing for nothing wastes a precious trump. And remember your discard can signal your strong suit to your partner.
Example: forced to ruff, but with what?
Clubs are trumps. An opponent leads the A♠, your partner follows with the 7♠, the other opponent plays the 10♠. The trick already holds 11 + 0 + 10 = 21 points, and you play last with no spades.
- An opponent is winning and you have trumps: you must ruff. The real question is with which trump.
- You play last, nobody can overruff after you: your lowest trump is enough. The 7♣ collects the 21 points and you keep your big trumps.
Another case: the opponent leads the A♠ and you play right after them. The last opponent, if also out of spades, could overruff behind you. Ruffing low is then a gamble, ruffing higher costs a good trump. Both are defensible depending on what you know about their hand.
Which card to discard?
- A worthless card from a suit where you expect nothing: a 7 or an 8.
- Points (a ten, an ace) if your partner's trick is safe, for example when you play last.
- A card that signals your strong suit, according to your conventions.
- Avoid discarding the guard of a card you want to protect, such as the small card that accompanies your ten.
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FAQ
Are you forced to ruff in coinche?
Yes, if you lack the led suit you must ruff, often overruffing. But if your partner already wins the trick, the convention lets you discard.
Is it better to ruff or discard?
Ruff if the trick is worth many points and an opponent is winning it. Discard to keep your trumps when your partner already holds the trick.
Which trump should you ruff with?
With the lowest one that surely wins the trick. In last position, your lowest trump is enough. If an opponent can still overruff behind you, weigh the risk: ruffing higher protects the trick but costs you a strong trump.