I came across this deal in an old text book. See what you make of it. West leads a diamond and East covers dummy’s king with the ace. Declare ruffs and crosses to dummy with a trump to lead a low heart. East is caught in a dilemma known as Morton’s Fork. If he rises with the ace, declarer will have three discards for his club losers (one on the diamond queen and two on the hearts). If instead East plays low on the first heart, declarer will return to dummy and discard his last heart on the diamond queen. He can then draw trumps and set up the clubs for just one loser, again making the slam. What did you make of that? Although it may be unlikely in practice, East could have beaten the slam by refusing to play his ace of diamonds on the first trick. Declarer would then have to choose a discard prematurely, before wielding Morton’s Fork. If he threw a heart, for example, East could then beat the contract by rising with the heart ace on the first round. Declarer should have played the ten of diamonds on the first trick. He could then ruff East’s jack, cross to a trump and lead a heart. Subsequently he would take a ruffing finesse in diamonds and make the appropriate discard on the established diamond winner.
What will you say on these West cards?
Answer Some players would double, for penalties, and indeed this move could work well if there was no further bidding and East turned up with a diamond honour. A potential problem may arise if North escapes to 2S and partner passes. Partner may find it hard to assess your strength when you compete subsequently with 3D. It seems better to me to bid 2D initially. This suggests a hand in the 6-9 point range, with a decent diamond suit. Exactly what you do in fact have!
I came across this deal in an old text book. See what you make of it. West leads a diamond and East covers dummy’s king with the ace. Declare ruffs and crosses to dummy with a trump to lead a low heart. East is caught in a dilemma known as Morton’s Fork. If he rises with the ace, declarer will have three discards for his club losers (one on the diamond queen and two on the hearts). If instead East plays low on the first heart, declarer will return to dummy and discard his last heart on the diamond queen. He can then draw trumps and set up the clubs for just one loser, again making the slam. What did you make of that? Although it may be unlikely in practice, East could have beaten the slam by refusing to play his ace of diamonds on the first trick. Declarer would then have to choose a discard prematurely, before wielding Morton’s Fork. If he threw a heart, for example, East could then beat the contract by rising with the heart ace on the first round. Declarer should have played the ten of diamonds on the first trick. He could then ruff East’s jack, cross to a trump and lead a heart. Subsequently he would take a ruffing finesse in diamonds and make the appropriate discard on the established diamond winner.
Answer