Morton's Fork

 

A Morton's Fork is a choice of unpleasant alternatives.  The most common example is when Declarer leads towards the King or Queen in a suit, and the defender can either duck the Ace and not score it at all or he can jump up with the Ace and set up an extra winner for Declarer.  Here are some examples.

 

Related Play Problems           Play Problem 20

                                                Play Problem 41

                                                Play Problem 202

 

Related Extracts from Past Wednesday Games

 

 

13	♠ 872 ♥ A64 ♦ K543 ♣ K95	From 9th May, 2007
♠ AQ965 ♥ K7 ♦ QT97 ♣ A3	North West             East           South	♠ JT4 ♥ Q85 ♦ A2 ♣ QT842	Dlr     North Vul     Both
© BES, Inc  All Rights Reserved	♠ K3 ♥ JT932 ♦ J86 ♣ J76	West    North   East     South             Pass    Pass    Pass 1♠        Pass    2♠       Pass 3♦        Pass    4♠    All Pass

 

Against 4♠, North can give Declarer an easy route to 11 tricks with any side-suit lead.  What makes Declarer really work hard for that 11^th trick is a trump lead.  Dummy’s Jack wins the trick, now a low Spade to the King and the Ace.  The doubleton K♠ has given Dummy an extra entry which can put to good use.  He leaves that enemy trump out for the time being and cashes the A♣, then leads a low Club towards the board.  North ducks smoothly (nice play!) and Dummy’s Ten loses to the Jack.  South shifts to the J♥, Declarer plays low, and North is placed in a Morton’s Fork dilemma:

-         if she jumps up with the Ace, Declarer will eventually ruff out the Clubs and score 5 trumps, 2 Hearts, a Diamond, and 3 Clubs (Declarer ends up losing no Diamonds)

-         if she plays low, Dummy’s Q♥ wins, the Clubs are ruffed out, then a Spade to Dummy’s Jack, the Clubs are cashed (Declarer’s Heart loser disappearing), and now a Diamond towards Declarer’s hand for 11 tricks.

 

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