Editor’s note: Paul Laliberte is writing this week’s bridge column.

A crossruff is a means of scoring trump in both hands. It works when you have — or create — a void on each side of the board.

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Q. 1 — Sitting South, with North dealing and no one vulnerable, you hold:

Eleven marksmen competed in the Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club’s second annual Rim Fire Rifle Championship Competition last weekend. Using .22 caliber rifles, competitiors fired at targets from the 65-yard marker, taking five shots from a free-standing position and five shots from a controlled bench rest position.

Readers have asked about the new-minor forcing (NMF) bid. It’s a potentially complicated subject, but there are relatively simple answers.

The next time your partner pre-empts and you hold a strong hand, consider playing the contract in partner’s suit. Otherwise, you may be on your own.