Mathe Defense to 1C



Mathe is one of the earliest and simplest defenses against a strong 1C opener. The convention was created by Lew Mathe, the late American expert and WBF Grand Master.

Overcall Meaning
Double Hearts and spades (the majors) - at least 4-4 depending on the vulnerability.
1 Natural, 5+ diamonds.
1 Natural, 5+ hearts.
1 Natural, 5+ spades.
1NT Clubs and diamonds (the minors) - at least 4-4 depending on the vulnerability.


In response to a double or 1NT overcall, partner normally pulls to one of the advertised suits. Otherwise, any new suit is natural.


Examples

NorthSouth
QJ83S9754
HKQ952A6
DTKQJ52
C643JT

West    
1C (1)
North    
Dbl (2)
East        
Pass

South    
1S (3)

  1. Strong and artificial.
  2. Showing the major suits.
  3. Correcting to spades.


NorthSouth
83SJT2
HKQ7532
DAT752KJ6
CA9643JT

West    
1C (1)
North    
1NT (2)
East        
Pass

South    
2D (3)

  1. Strong and artificial.
  2. Showing the minor suits.
  3. Correcting to diamonds.

See also

  • CRASH
    A defense against a strong 1 that uses ambiguous two-suited overcalls.

  • Mathe Asking Bids
    A convention by Lew Mathe for exploring major-suit slam possibilities.

  • Truscott Defense to 1
    A defense against a strong 1 that emphasises two-suited hands.

About

Bridgebum began in 1999 and covers a large set of descriptions of bidding conventions, declarer play and defense, and more.

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