Drury
 

 

 

 

 

 

 


A Convention to “Safely” Open

Light Third (or 4ththt   ) Hand in the Majors

A Basic Version presented by Mike Savage

 

    If you like to open one of a major in third (or even 4th) seat with slightly less than full opening values, Drury is a convention created to help responder not to get too high when he has invitational values and a fit. As a passed hand, holding a fit and 10-12 points, you want to both invite game but not have to jump to the 3-level in case your partner has a weak opener. A bid of 2C, by a passed hand after your partner has opened 1H or 1S in third (or 4th) seat, is used as an artificial bid to ask opener’s strength: weak, minimum opener or more than minimum. Some partnerships allow opening a 4-card major in third (or 4th) seat. If you are opening light, it is highly recommended that you have a good suit. Below you will find Original Drury (in black) and improved Reverse Drury (differences in blue).

 

P – P – 1H or 1S – P:

            2C = Shows invitational values (10-13 support points) and at least 3-card support.

                     Responses:  2D = Shows a light opener (9/10-11/12) with no game interest.

                                         2D = Shows a minimum full opener but would not accept       

                                                  a game try.

     2 of Opener’s Major = Shows a minimum full opener but

                                                                              would not accept a game try.

                                         2 of Opener’s Major = Shows a light opener (9/10-11/12)

                                                                              with no game interest.

                                         2H (after opening 1S) = Natural, a minimum or sub-minimum.

                                               (However some partnerships play this forcing one round)

                                         2S (after opening 1H) = Natural, showing at least game interest.

 

    2NT = Option 1: Artificial, asks partner if he has a stiff or void.

                 Option 2: Natural, 13-plus to 14 points with good side stoppers.

 

                                         3C & 3D = Either a help suit game try or natural (your choice).

 

     3 of Opener’s Major = Forcing and slam invitational.

 

                                         3H (after 1S – 2C) = Natural with 5-4, 5-5 etc. & game forcing.

                                               (if you play 2H as forcing, this is a slam try with at least 5-5)

           

                                          3NT = Natural and gives partner a choice between 3NT and

                                                    four of the Opener’s major.

                                        4C, 4D, 4H (after 1S) and 3S (after 1H) = Splinter slam tries.

 

                                        4 of Opener’s Major = Enough values for game but no more.

 

            2NT = Shows five clubs, a balanced/semi-balanced maximum and no major fit.

 

3C = Natural and invitational. Should show a good six-card suit and no major fit.