SHARPLES

The Sharples convention is a method of responding to a No Trump opening when the responder holds only one 4-card Major and one or both 4-card Minor suits. this concept was devised by Mr. James and Robert Sharples. The Sharples method is an extension of the Stayman convention and allows the partnership to explore first of all for a fit in a Major suit, and, if no fit is found, then to attempt to find a fit in a Minor suit. The main feature of this convention is that the responder has such a holding of 4-1-4-4 or 4-2-3-4 and sufficient values to warrant not only game but also slam possibilities. The concept is originally used with No Trump ranges between 16 and 18 high card points, but the concept can also be employed using other No Trump ranges.

The following bidding sequence should illustrate the Sharples concept. Shown is the holding of South.

	KQ75
	7
	AQ93
	KQ98

The bidding auction proceeds normally.

North	South	Meaning
1 NT	2	Stayman convention
2		No Major suit fit
	4	Sharples

South, the responder and now the captain of the partnership, discovers that there is no fit in the Major suit. South jumps to 4 Clubs and this is the Sharples convention, communicating to the No Trump bidder that game is certain and that slam is a possibility.

If South holds the following:

	KQ75
	74
	AQ93
	KQ9

then South would jump to 4 Diamonds. It is important to note that a jump to 4 Diamonds by the responder denies holding a 4-card Club suit. Therefore his distribution is 4-2-4-3. Do not mistake the distribution when the responder jumps to 4 Clubs and assume that his distribution is 4-2-3-4. The responder could have both 4-card Minor suit when jumping to 4 Clubs and therefore his distribution would be 4-1-4-4.

This jump is significant because it also imparts to the No Trump bidder that the partnership is strong enough to play at least in 4 No Trump.

Rebids by the No Trump Bidder

If the No Trump bidder holds a 4-card suit in that particular Minor suit, then:

1. The No Trump bidder should raise the suit of the responder, either 5 Clubs or 5 Diamonds, if his No Trump opening is minimum.

2. The No Trump bidder should bid on the six level the suit of the responder, either 6 Clubs or 6 Diamonds, if his No Trump opening is maximum.

If the No Trump bidder does not hold a 4-card suit in that particular Minor suit, then:

1. The No Trump bidder should bid a 4-card suit at the four level, if possible.

2. The No Trump bidder should bid 4 No Trump if he can not show another 4-card suit at the four level, if minimum.

3. The No Trump bidder should bid 5 No Trump if he can not show another 4-card suit at the four level, if maximum.

As a defense mechanism immediately after, or in the pass-out Seat, the Sharples convention can also be employed. An overcall of 2 Clubs indicates a three-suited hand, in which one black suit, Clubs, contain at least three cards and the second black suit, Spades, contains at least four cards. An overcall of 2 Diamonds also indicates a three-suited hand, but where the Club suit is very short. The possible distributions can be: 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-3-1 or 4-4-3-2.

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.