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.

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

Opener's Rebid	Meaning
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:

Opener's Rebid	Meaning
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

		North			South
		864			AJ92
		AKT			QJ987
		A752			6
		T83			QJ2
	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.

		North			South
		K864			AJ952
		K6			A98
		A752			KQ6
		T83			92
	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.

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     Dbl

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 Dbl

East     1 2

South     Pass

West     Pass 2

North     Pass 2

East     1 Dbl (1)

South     Pass

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

• 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.

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