Defense Methods in General
The game of bridge offers one player to open the auction. The game of bridge also offers the opponents of the opener to interfere, intervene, or overcall. This is a defensive action and is based on a devised and developed conventional defense method.
We have attempted to list several of these defense methods on this web page. We have attempted to list them in a semi-orderly fashion. We have also attempted to list defense methods to defense methods.
The reader, student, and visitor must please remember that these defense methods are only suggestions and recommendations, and that these defense methods do not always carry an official, or even semi-official designation.
Any bridge player wishing to add their defense method to this list can do so for the benefit of other bridge players. All contributions will be credited with the name of the contributor.
Defense Method Against DONT - This is a defense method to be employed by the responder of the No Trump opener after an immediate DONT-oriented double by the opponent. These guidelines to defend against a DONT-style double are suggestions only for a possible defense method.
Mathe Bids Against Strong, Artificial 1 Club Openings
This conventional defense method was developed by Mr. Lewis L. Mathe, also known as simply Lew, of Canoga Park, California, He was born in 1915 and died in 1986. He is also the originator of Mathe Asking Bids. The Mathe conventional bids are generally to be employed in the immediate seat following the strong, generally artificial 1 Club opening since the partner of the strong 1 Club bidder must respond with zero values. However, the Mathe conventional bids may also be employed in the fourth seat following a weak response by the partner of the opener.
Multi 2 Diamonds Defense Methods - Multi 2D Defense Methods
Version 1 - The origin of this defense method is unknown.
Version 2 - The origin of this defense method is unknown.
Liberty Double - The Liberty defense method versus the Multi offensive method is employed when the opponents opening bid has multiple weak possibilities with no known suit. This defense method is designed to increase the possibility of penalties while also providing, at the same time, some blocking bids.
Responses to a Takeout Double by your Partner
The responses to a Takeout Double are dependent upon the situation. For example, has the responder passed or has the responder bid over the Takeout Double. The more preferred responses are presented to the bridge player and these responses are based upon the holding itself.
Suction Redwood - The origin of this conventional defense method is unknown. The Suction Redwood conventional defense method is employed against an immediate overcall of No Trump by the opponent on the one level.
If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.
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