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Lewis & Eugene MATHE

Lewis Lawrence Mathe nacque in Ungheria il 27 marzo del 1915 ma emigrò negli Stati Uniti ancora bambino ed entrò nell'aviazione americana prendendo parte all'ultimo conflitto mondiale.

 Mediatore immobiliare di professione, Lewis collaborò a lungo alla rubrica bridgistica del Los Angeles Herald Examiner, ed è stato ritenuto uno dei più forti giocatori degli anni '50 e '60.

 Lewis si fregiò del titolo di campione del mondo nel 1954 e partecipò per ben altre quattro volte alla Bermuda Bowl  arrivando tre volte all'argento (55, 62, 66) ed una alle Olimpiadi sempre difendendo i colori del suo Paese. 

 Sul piano nazionale vinse, tra l'altro, 4 Resinger (59, 60, 62, 71), 3 Vanderbilt (64, 66, 67), 2 Mitchell (57, 70) e una Spingold (54).

 Sposò Eugenie Mary Funkhouser (26 ottobre 1925 - 5 maggio 1990) una valente bridgista e scrittrice di Los Angeles che, vinse in coppia con il marito due NABC.

 Fu World Life Master, Presidente dell'A.C.B.L. nel 1975 e tesoriere della WBF dal 1977 al 1982.

 L'anno dopo la sua scomparsa, avvenuta a Canoga Park in California il 10 marzo del 1986 per problemi di cuore, l'ACBL gli ha concesso l'onore di far parte della Hall of Fame.

Among the many stars of the game of bridge, one of the greatest competitors was Lewis L. Mathe (1915 - 1986).

The intensity of his play, his commanding table presence and his superb card playing skill ensured his place among the giants of the game.

Lew Mathe, a real estate appraiser and broker, enjoyed a successful bridge career --- as a player and as an administrator --- that spanned more than three decades.

Mathe’s victories at the national level attest to his talent. He won the Chicago (now the Reisinger) four times, the Vanderbilt three times and the Spingold once.

In addition, Mathe posted first-place finishes in a host of pair and team events during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

Mathe demonstrated his ability in the international arena by becoming a Bermuda Bowl champion in 1954. He went on to represent North America in four more Bermuda Bowls.

Mathe also represented the United States in the World Team Olympiad in 1960. Mathe and his wife, Eugenie (who died in 1991). Mathe was a World Life Master.

His accomplishments as a player also include contributions to bidding theory. The Mathe Asking Bid, used after responder has made a jump limit raise, is employed to discover if responder has a singleton.

In addition, Mathe created a defense to a strong 1Club opener, wherein double shows a major two-suiter, while 1NT shows the minors (with all other bids being natural).

Mathe’s general approach to bidding was a natural, descriptive one. This style was prevalent on the West Coast, and Mathe was one of its chief exponents. Although Mathe’s star faded with the advent of more scientific approaches to the auction, his success with those methods is remarkable.

Mathe’s love for the game led him to become a leading player in its organizational structure. He served as ACBL president in 1975, chairman of the ACBL Board in 1976, and chairman of the ACBL Board of Governors in 1968. Mathe was the WBF representative from ACBL and WBF treasurer from 1977-1982. He was president of the Western Conference on three occasions and the ACBL Board Member from District 23 from 1958-1961 and from 1970-1982.

Mathe served as mentor to the rising stars from California during his career. Eddie Kantar, Bob Hamman and Don Krauss were among those who played with Mathe early in their careers.

Known for his intensity and energy at the table, Mathe was a self-proclaimed perfectionist who expected much from his partners.

He was a firm believer that bridge expertise is innate, not acquired, and that a healthy sense of self-confidence and ego is an integral part of being a top-notch player.