Bidding Conventions >

Drury


Drury is a conventional 2 response by a passed hand after partner opens 1 or 1 in third or fourth seat. The 2 bid is artificial, showing a limit raise with 10-12 support points and 3+ card support.

Playing Drury, responder can keep the bidding low at the 2-level instead of making a jump raise. Since many partnerships open light in third or fourth seat, responder wants to bid conservatively opposite a weak hand.


Opener's Rebids

After opening 1 and hearing a 2 response, opener's rebids are:

2 A sub-minimum hand (10-12 points)
2 A normal opening bid (12+ points)
All other bids   Natural, with normal opening values (12+ points)

After opening 1 and hearing 2:

2 A sub-minimum hand
2 Natural, 4+ hearts, but does not guarantee a full opening bid
2 A normal opening bid
All other bids   Natural, with at least normal opening values


Examples

NorthSouth
864SAJ92
HAKTQJ987
DA7526
CT83QJ2

West    
Pass
Pass
Pass

North    
Pass
2 (1)
2 (3)

East    
Pass
Pass
All Pass

South    
1
2 (2)

  1. Drury, showing 3+ hearts and 10-12 points.
  2. Showing minimum strength.
  3. Signing off.


NorthSouth
K864SAJ952
HK6A98
DA752KQ6
CT8392

West    
Pass
Pass
Pass
All Pass

North    
Pass
2 (1)
3 (3)


East    
Pass
Pass
Pass


South    
1
2 (2)
4 (4)

  1. Drury, showing 3+ spades and 10-12 points.
  2. Showing a sound opening bid.
  3. A natural help-suit game try.
  4. Bidding game with good diamonds.


In Competition

If 1 or 1 is doubled or overcalled, Drury is on if 2 is an available bid for responder. Examples:


West    
Pass
2

North    
Pass


East    
1


South    
Double


West    
Pass
2

North    
Pass


East    
1


South    
1

If the Drury 2 is doubled, Drury is on if 2 is an available bid for opener. If 2 Drury is overcalled, Drury responses are off, but a partnership may agree to play stolen bid responses. Examples:


West    
Pass
2

North    
Pass
Double

East    
1
2

South    
Pass


West    
Pass
2

North    
Pass
2

East    
1
Double (1)

South    
Pass

  1. Double shows a hand that would have responded 2.


Other Considerations

  • Drury is very easy to forget, since players often do not pay attention to the seating as it pertains to the auction. If you decide to play Drury, be sure to remember it when it comes up.


Origins

Drury is named for its Californian inventor, Douglas Drury, a prominent player in the 1950's and 1960's.