Mathe Defense Method

Mathe 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.

Example 1:

North

East (Dealer)

South

West

1

Mathe bid

Pass

However, the Mathe conventional defense bids may also be employed in the fourth seat following a weak response by the partner of the opener, as in the following bidding sequence:

Example 2:

North

East (Dealer)

South

West

1

Pass

1

Mathe bid

As such, the Mathe conventional bids enjoy a certain simplicity in style, which is shown below:

Double: Promises a two-suited holding in both Major suits. The distribution must be the equivalent of at least 5-4 by equal vulnerability and preferably 5-5 by unfavorable vulnerability. The point count should be fewer points than required for an opening bid. The advancer has but one forcing bid and that is 1 No Trump. The intervenor then names the suit. Any defense method of continuations following interference by the partner of the opener is a matter of partnership agreement.

1 : A natural bid, which promises a one-suited holding in Diamonds.

1 : A natural bid, which promises a one-suited holding in Hearts.

1 : A natural bid, which promises a one-suited holding in Spades.

2 : A natural bid, which promises a one-suited holding in Clubs.

1 NT: Shows a two-suited holding in both Minor suits.

2 : A natural bid, which promises a one-suited holding in Diamonds. The difference between this overcall and the 1 overcall is that this overcall on the two level promises a minimum of a 6-card Diamond suit and increased values. The evaluation may also be based on the Losing Trick Count method.

2 : A natural bid, which promises a one-suited holding in Hearts. The difference between this overcall and the 1 overcall is that this overcall on the two level promises a minimum of a 6-card Heart suit and increased values. The evaluation may also be based on the Losing Trick Count method.

2 : A natural bid, which promises a one-suited holding in Spades. The difference between this overcall and the 1 overcall is that this overcall on the two level promises a minimum of a 6-card Spade suit and increased values. The evaluation may also be based on the Losing Trick Count method.

3 : A natural bid, which promises a one-suited holding in Clubs. The difference between this overcall and the 1 overcall is that this overcall on the two level promises a minimum of a 6-card Club suit and increased values. The evaluation may also be based on the Losing Trick Count method.

The concept behind the Mathe bids against a strong, artificial 1 Club opening bid is that the defense method allows for competion with very distribution holdings. These holdings should generally be bid as high as possible, not only for competitive purposes but also to obstruct the strong, artificial 1 Club opener from naming either suit or distribution comfortably. However, the competition via the Mathe conventional bids must be made on holdings, which fulfill adequately the established.

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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	Defense Methods

North	East (Dealer)	South	West
	1	Mathe bid	Pass

Double:	Promises a two-suited holding in both Major suits. The distribution must be the equivalent of at least 5-4 by equal vulnerability and preferably 5-5 by unfavorable vulnerability. *The point count should be fewer points than required for an opening bid. The advancer has but one forcing bid* and that is 1 No Trump. The intervenor then names the suit. Any defense method of continuations following interference by the partner of the opener is a matter of partnership agreement.**

1 :	A natural bid, which promises a one-suited holding in Diamonds.

1 :	A natural bid, which promises a one-suited holding in Hearts.

1 :	A natural bid, which promises a one-suited holding in Spades.

2 :	A natural bid, which promises a one-suited holding in Clubs.

1 NT:	Shows a two-suited holding in both Minor suits.

2 :	A natural bid, which promises a one-suited holding in Diamonds. The difference between this overcall and the 1 overcall is that this overcall on the two level promises a minimum of a 6-card Diamond suit and increased values. The evaluation may also be based on the Losing Trick Count method.

2 :	A natural bid, which promises a one-suited holding in Hearts. The difference between this overcall and the 1 overcall is that this overcall on the two level promises a minimum of a 6-card Heart suit and increased values. The evaluation may also be based on the Losing Trick Count method.

2 :	A natural bid, which promises a one-suited holding in Spades. The difference between this overcall and the 1 overcall is that this overcall on the two level promises a minimum of a 6-card Spade suit and increased values. The evaluation may also be based on the Losing Trick Count method.

3 :	A natural bid, which promises a one-suited holding in Clubs. The difference between this overcall and the 1 overcall is that this overcall on the two level promises a minimum of a 6-card Club suit and increased values. The evaluation may also be based on the Losing Trick Count method.