Mathe Asking Convention After a Limit Raise

Situation.   When partner of an opening 1© or 1ª responds with a Limit Raise, [1© - P - 3©] a singleton may enable a slam bid.

To determine where the singleton is, opener can rebid with the Mathe Asking Bid.

To identify the responder's singleton,  an opener with slam interest rebids 3NT*, which asks responder to bid his singleton or bid four of the major suit not holding a singleton.

N E S W North South
1© P 3© P ª KJx ª AQxxx
3NT* P 4§* P © AKJxxx © Qxx
4NT P 5¨ P ¨ Ax ¨ Qxxx
6© P P P § Qx § x

Here, South's singleton Club lets North bid a fine slam, which otherwise would be very difficult to find.


(c) Robert D. McConnell, 1998  All Rights Reserved