SHARPLES AGAINST NO TRUMP
Although the Sharples convention, devised by Mr. James and Robert Sharples, is originally a method of responding to a No Trump opening by the partner, Mr. James Sharples, born 1908 and died 1985, and Mr. Robert Sharples, born 1908 and died 1999, both of Caterham, England, also developed a method of defending against a No Trump opening by the opponents. This defense method can be employed either in the immediate seat or in the balancing seat. The range of the No Trump opening is generally on the stronger side, but the concept can / may be adapted to confront all ranges of No Trump.
The original concept is outlined below:
Double: Any double is for penalty. Partner must pass. 2
:
Shows 4-card plus Spade suit and any shape otherwise. 2
:
Promises shortage in Clubs and any shape otherwise. 2
:
Promises generally a 5-card plus Heart suit and is a natural bid. 2
:
Promises generally a 5-card plus Spade suit and is a natural bid. 3
Promises generally a 5-card plus Club suit and is a natural bid. May be preemptive. 3
Promises generally a 5-card plus Diamond suit and is a natural bid. May be preemptive.
As the student of defense mechanism can recognize, this original concept can / may be modified or varied to meet the standards of modern bridge technique. This concept is rather advanced for the time of its conception owing to the use of the double for penalty and only promising a 4-card Spade suit with the corresponding overcall. The non-employment of the 2 No Trump overcall to show both Minor suits is also unique in that it is lacking in the original concept.
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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