Ruffing when your partner is master
Updated
Usually no: if your partner already wins the trick, you don't have to ruff it. But this is a convention, not a universal law.
The principle
When the trick already belongs to your team because your partner is master (they played the current highest card), ruffing to win an already-won trick is pointless. The most common convention therefore lets you skip the ruff and discard a useless card instead.
Why it helps
Not wasting a trump on an already-won trick means keeping your trumps for the tricks that matter. You can use the chance to discard a weak suit, or instead drop a big card (10, Ace) on your partner's trick to load it and score more points.
Careful: it's conventional
Not every table allows this exemption. In the strict "must ruff" version, you must ruff whenever you can't follow suit, even on your partner's trick. Before a serious game or tournament, confirm the rule in force to avoid a renonce claim.
Worked example: load the trick, but at the right time
Trumps are hearts. Your partner leads the Ace of spades and the next opponent follows with the 8 of spades. You're out of spades. Your partner is winning, so you don't have to ruff, and you consider dropping your 10 of clubs to load the trick.
- If the last opponent follows in spades, the trick goes to your team: 11 + 0 + 10, plus their card. Nice.
- If they're void and ruff, even with the 7 of hearts, they collect your 10 as well as the Ace: at least 21 points handed over.
The guideline: “winning” means winning for now. When you play third, an opponent still plays after you. Loading is safer when you play last, or when the cards already played tell you the last player still holds the suit or has no trumps left.
When your partner has ruffed
Same logic when your partner has ruffed a side suit and is winning with a trump: you don't have to ruff on top or overruff them. You can discard a small card or load the trick. Careful though, it's different when trumps are led: many tables then require you to go higher if you can, even over your partner. Details in the obligation to overruff.
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FAQ
Must you ruff when your partner already wins?
Usually no: the common convention lets you skip ruffing your partner's trick and discard instead. But some tables still require you to ruff.
What do you play if you don't ruff your partner's trick?
You can discard a weak card, or load the trick by dropping a big card (10 or Ace) to add points to your team's total.
Can you load your partner's trick before the last opponent has played?
Yes, it's allowed, but it's a gamble: if the last opponent ruffs or plays higher, they collect your big card too. It's safer when you play last or have counted what's left.
Is my partner “winning” if they played a King and the Ace hasn't gone?
Yes, as far as the rule goes: what matters is that they lead the trick when it's your turn. The exemption from ruffing applies, even if a later player can still beat them.