Minor Scale

 In music theory, the term minor scale refers to three scale patterns – the natural minor scale, the harmonic minor scale, and the melodic minor scale. Matchpoints is unfair to the minors, and it is natural to play in 3NT whenever all the suits are stopped, as it often makes an overtrick, with 5 of a minor needing to make seven to beat that. The other choice is between the "harmonic 5m" and the "melodic 6m" and one would definitely go for the latter if the choice is close. It is almost the case that when you bypass 3NT which you were sure was making, you should bid 6m. Such was the case on the following hand:

Michael and Web, our two US members, had a good start to the auction, 1D was Precision, 1H natural and 2C showed 5-4 in the minors either way, about 11-14. Now 2S was fourth suit and 2NT showed a spade stop. West thought that he was too good now for 3NT, although there is a lot to be said for it, and it is in fact the top spot, beating 5C comfortably. If I did not bid 3NT, I would choose 6C, but I don't think it is right to rule out grand here. At teams it is easy, you jump to 4C which is a slam try in clubs. Some play it as Minorwood, so be sure what your methods are here. I think I would bid 4D now on the East hand, and West will surely go to 6C then, but East chose 5C and West felt he had done enough. South should lead a top heart against that and get a very good score limiting declarer to 11 tricks, but when he did not, declarer was able to finesse the ten of spades for 12 tricks and a near average.

Ken Barnett was in 6C by East on a diamond lead, and misplayed it at trick one, winning in hand, drawing trumps and playing a spade to then ten, successfully as the cards lay. The right line was to ruff the opening lead in dummy, draw trumps with the king and ace, and then lead a spade towards the king. North is caught in Morton's Fork. If he rises with the ace, then there is no need for the spade finesse. If he ducks then the spade losers go away on the ace and king of diamonds.

Morton's Fork has an interesting origin. Under Henry VII, John Morton was made archbishop of Canterbury in 1486 and Lord Chancellor in 1487. He rationalised a tax of Henry's by reasoning that someone living modestly must be saving money, and therefore could afford the tax; whereas someone living extravagantly was obviously rich, and therefore could afford the tax as well.

The motto is not to play in 5 of a minor at matchpoints, except when it is right to play in 5 of a minor!