Drury is a convention that is used by a passed hand, to show a maximum raise.
Its important to note, that since we need to be a passed hand, it will only happen when partner opens in 3rd or 4th seat.
When it applies
Related: Third Seat Openings: Practical Aggression
A typical auction
2♣ is completely artificial, showing nothing about clubs, it shows - A maximum raise for a passed hand, about 9-11.
(It should make sense that it is not natural, you have passed so would not have enough to bid 2 over 1).
Opener's rebids: two ways to play it
After 2♣, opener has 2♦ as artificial. There are two ways to play this
Option 1
| Responses to drury 2♣ | |
|---|---|
| 2♦ | A very bad opening, sub minimum (A 3rd seat light opening, if that is your partnership style) |
| 2M | A decent hand, respectable opening bid, but not planning on bidding game. This gives responder the right to bid game if they have a very good hand, for example 4 card support and a maximum. |
Opener has shown a decent hand, it is passable but offering responder the chance to bid game if they wish
Opener is saying that they have a terrible hand, sub minimum hand that they have decided to open in third seat!
Option 2: Reverse Drury
The exact other way around (sometimes known as reverse drury - though it is very common)
| Responses to drury 2♣ | |
|---|---|
| 2♦ | A decent hand, respectable opening bid, but not planning on bidding game. This gives responder the right to bid game if they have a very good hand, for example 4 card support and a maximum. |
| 2M | The bad hand, sub minimum. |
Staying at the two level
If partner shows a good hand, it does not mean we have to go past the two level, for example this will be a common auction, lets say we are using option 2.
Opener has shown a reasonable opening hand, but nothing overly special. Just basically saying that it is a real hand and not a light 3rd seat shenanigan. Yet, as responder you can still just leave it at the 2 level without an exceptional hand. You probably have a combined 23-24 points and do not need to push game, without any special distribution.
Overall recommendation
I use Drury, but I think you can live without it if you don't like it or are not confident with it, or think you may forget it.
Some people forget they are playing it - The way to remember it is to be alert when partner opens 3rd seat, remember they could be light - so that should trigger you to remember that you are playing Drury! Also, if you can remember that responding 2 over 1 (by a passed hand) is unlikely or impossible, so therefore it is artificial.
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