What if the Opponents Use Mathe?
A long time ago an expert by the name of Lew Mathe once said to his partner,
If they open a strong club, double for majors
and bid 1NT for minors.
...Anything else is natural."
Below is a proposed defense to the Mathe convention.
If They Double to Show Both Majors:
Redouble shows 8+ HCP and no five card suit
Bidding a minor is natural and shows 8+ HCP
1NT shows at least 4-4 in the minors
If They Bid 1NT to Show Both Minors:
Double shows at least 4-4 in the majors
Bidding a major is natural and shows 8+ HCP
Should we use Mathe when we meet other Big Club bidders?
Sure, it's easy to remember, but Mathe was developed a long time ago
and now there's a better way.
Below is Modified Mathe.
Double = Majors
1NT = Minors
1
= Diamonds
1
= Heart and a Minor
1
= Spades and a Minor
2
= Clubs
2
= Hearts
2
= Spades
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