One interesting point today is that if the EW hands were reversed, the fork still works provided declarer keeps the HA at T1 and then crosses to dummy with a trump to lead towards the DK. In that case, 3C are thrown on 2D and a heart – although ironically the C finesse would have worked. With less revealing bidding by the oppos (perhaps North had an extra heart and a club less) or a less clear cut split of the high cards how would you decide which hand to play for the DA? A weak player might well lead it at T1, for example, but a better player might be less keen to do so.
Regards,
Iain
Bobby WolffJanuary 17th, 2023 at 1:54 pm
Hi Iain,
No doubt Cardinal Morton was an a very interesting and successful tax collector during Henry VII’s reign in England. I wonder if his reasoning on what to do and especially why, would fly if he was now plying his trade in the USA.
In any event, having an important trick gaining play in bridge, named after him, is quite an honor, even if his methods might have resulted in his victims crying out, “Forked Again!”
“Where there is a will there may be a way” is a constant factor in developing key
tricks in bridge whether the plays are pure and even sometimes successful when
only needing a little help (small error) from a poor defender or declarer who might
have missed a tell or even a small inference.
Finally, when, as delcarer and playing against lesser experienced players, at least by their appearance, and undecided about who to “pick” on, the defender who appears more interested in his defense will more often than not be the player who holds a key card or is in a better position to be directly involved with the specific
hand that is being played.
However. if instead playing against strength, go opposite against that suggestion, since their talent will include that miss direction. Often it come down to another “he said that she said” routine, so just wishing you good luck.
Steven ConradJanuary 17th, 2023 at 5:51 pm
You misspelled only two words: “forked” and “delclarer.” There may be some who disagree with my count 😉
Steven ConradJanuary 17th, 2023 at 6:06 pm
As a (retired) teacher (math) I found it interesting that you thought that Tuesday’s Fork was more complex than Monday’s. I thought that Tuesday’s was much easier. Thay may be because I have emphasized that one should not win an ace facing a void unless one knows what to play from the hand with the void. It is almost always right to duck now, use later. These situations are the ones that make good Fork material. It would be a Cardinal sin to not take advantage.
Bobby WolffJanuary 17th, 2023 at 9:32 pm
Hi Steve,
What does St. Louis or any red bird have to do with taking advantage, except to experience the Blues, even with all her diamond rings.
And after a certain number of wins the person opposite the dummy wins the write to alphabatize the l before the c and become a delclarer. At least that was what we learned in Texas.
And when you retired as a math teacher did your students lose count of you? Finally, if each day the hands get easier, will Mrs. Guggenheim be able to
make her contract next Sunday?
Subscribe to our feed
Bridge-related
Hi Bobby,
One interesting point today is that if the EW hands were reversed, the fork still works provided declarer keeps the HA at T1 and then crosses to dummy with a trump to lead towards the DK. In that case, 3C are thrown on 2D and a heart – although ironically the C finesse would have worked. With less revealing bidding by the oppos (perhaps North had an extra heart and a club less) or a less clear cut split of the high cards how would you decide which hand to play for the DA? A weak player might well lead it at T1, for example, but a better player might be less keen to do so.
Regards,
Iain
Hi Iain,
No doubt Cardinal Morton was an a very interesting and successful tax collector during Henry VII’s reign in England. I wonder if his reasoning on what to do and especially why, would fly if he was now plying his trade in the USA.
In any event, having an important trick gaining play in bridge, named after him, is quite an honor, even if his methods might have resulted in his victims crying out, “Forked Again!”
“Where there is a will there may be a way” is a constant factor in developing key
tricks in bridge whether the plays are pure and even sometimes successful when
only needing a little help (small error) from a poor defender or declarer who might
have missed a tell or even a small inference.
Finally, when, as delcarer and playing against lesser experienced players, at least by their appearance, and undecided about who to “pick” on, the defender who appears more interested in his defense will more often than not be the player who holds a key card or is in a better position to be directly involved with the specific
hand that is being played.
However. if instead playing against strength, go opposite against that suggestion, since their talent will include that miss direction. Often it come down to another “he said that she said” routine, so just wishing you good luck.
You misspelled only two words: “forked” and “delclarer.” There may be some who disagree with my count 😉
As a (retired) teacher (math) I found it interesting that you thought that Tuesday’s Fork was more complex than Monday’s. I thought that Tuesday’s was much easier. Thay may be because I have emphasized that one should not win an ace facing a void unless one knows what to play from the hand with the void. It is almost always right to duck now, use later. These situations are the ones that make good Fork material. It would be a Cardinal sin to not take advantage.
Hi Steve,
What does St. Louis or any red bird have to do with taking advantage, except to experience the Blues, even with all her diamond rings.
And after a certain number of wins the person opposite the dummy wins the write to alphabatize the l before the c and become a delclarer. At least that was what we learned in Texas.
And when you retired as a math teacher did your students lose count of you? Finally, if each day the hands get easier, will Mrs. Guggenheim be able to
make her contract next Sunday?