DRURY CONVENTION
VARIATION FROM NORWAY

Mr. Douglas Drury devised the Drury convention. Mr. Douglas Drury was tired of sitting in the Fourth Seat, and after two passes, having his Right Hand Opponent open a weak hand, while sitting with a moderate to excellent opening in a Major suit. Therefore, in order to protect himself from landing in an unsuccessful contract, he devised the conventional Forcing 2 Clubs Response for his partner, who has already passed.

The convention devised by Mr. Douglas Drury also gives his partner a way of describing his hand, even though there has been no intervening bid. It must be noted that the Forcing 2 Clubs Response bid by the responder is completely artificial and says nothing about the Club holding. The Drury Convention may only be applied when the responder has a suitable fit, distribution, and sufficient values with the Major suit bid by the opener.

The following variation, origin and developer unknown, played generally in Norway defines the rebids of the opener in a more detailed fashion and allows for a more informative description of the holding of the opener. The auction proceeds normally, but it is important to remember that the distinction is made between the opening of 1 Heart and 1 Spade:

North

 East

South

West

Pass

 Pass

1

Pass

2

The rebids by South, the opener in Third, and possibly Fourth Seat are shown in the following chart:

South Meaning
2 : Shows a very minimum opening.
2 : Promises the normal range of 12+ to 14- points.
2 : A natural bid and promises additional values.
2 NT: A natural bid and promises additional values and generally no 4-card side suit.
3 : Shows 5 Hearts and a side suit of 5 Clubs with additional values.
3 : Shows 5 Hearts and a side suit of 5 Diamonds with additional values.
3 : Shows a void in Spades and additional strength.
3 NT: Shows 18-19 high card points, no 4-card side suit and/or a 6-card Heart suit.
4 : Shows a void in Clubs and additional strength.
4 : Shows a void in Diamonds and additional strength.
If the opening is 1 Spade, rather than 1 Heart, the rebids by the opener are similar, but must be adjusted as shown in the following chart:

North

 East

South

West

Pass

 Pass

1

Pass

2

The rebids by South, the opener in third, possibly fourth, seat are shown in the following chart:

South Meaning
2 : Shows a very minimum opening.
2 : A natural bid and promises additional values.
2 : Promises the normal range of 12+ to 14- points.
2 NT: A natural bid and promises additional values and generally no 4-card side suit.
3 : Shows 5 Spades and a side suit of 5 Clubs with additional values.
3 : Shows 5 Spades and a side suit of 5 Diamonds with additional values.
3 : Shows 5 Spades and a side suit of 5 Hearts with additional values.
3 : Promises additional length in Spades and additional values.
3 NT: Shows 18-19 high card points, no 4-card side suit and/or a 6-card Spade suit.
4 : Shows a void in Clubs and additional strength.
4 : Shows a void in Diamonds and additional strength.
4 : Shows a void in Hearts and additional strength.
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.
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