REVERSE DRURY

The origin of this variation is unknown. This variation of the Drury convention became popular during the 1980s. It is sometimes referred to as Modified Drury. This is more or less the modern standard version of the original convention devised by Mr. Douglas Drury. After a Third or Fourth Seat opening of a Major suit, especially Spades and less frequently Hearts, the responder, who is a passed hand, shows a strong raise with at least a 3-card support, and 10-12 point range, by bidding 2 Clubs. The following illustration and the explanations show this concept:

North
East
South
West
Pass
Pass
1
Pass
2
Pass
?

The opener is now required to clarify his holding: weak, moderate, or full opening with additional values. The opener does so with the following rebids:

2 : An artificial rebid promising full opening values.
Original Suit: Shows minimum values and does not promise any additional length in the original suit.
2 over 1 : This rebid denies full opening values but promises at least a 4-card Heart suit.

In the case that the responder does hold a long Club suit with near maximum opening values, then the responder will bid 3 first, instead of 2 and then 3 as in the original version.

It is also noteworthy that most partnerships have agreed to employ Reverse Drury as a guarantee of at least a 3-card trump support. Other partnerships have agreed that the trump support be at least a 4-card suit.

Responder's Rebids:

Once the opener has denied a full opening, then the responder will pass if opener rebids the original suit or support the suit of the opener at the lowest level, which is then a preference. For example: 1 - 2 - 2 - 2.

On the other hand, if the rebid of the opener shows full opening values, then the following options apply:

Two of Opener's Major Suit: Shows a maximum of 11 points, at least 3-card support for the Major suit of opener, but strongly indicates that game is not possible without additional values held by opener. This rebid by responder is considered non-forcing.
Three of Opener's Major Suit: Game forcing and excellent support for the Major suit of opener (generally a 4-card suit), and at least 12 support points.
Any Other Rebid: Any other rebid by the responder guarantees good support for the the Major suit bid by opener. This rebid is one-round forcing, not game forcing. If the opener rebids the original Major suit on the two or three level, then the opener shows an absolute minimum holding and no game interest.
As with all partnership agreements, it must be stated, that South, in the example above, can show a hand willing to accept an invitation to game by bidding any other suit. Some expert bridge players use this new suit as a Help Suit Game Try. Other bridge players play that the opening bidder must rebid two Diamonds with any hand willing to accept an invitation to game. This allows the responder to show a second suit or return to the trump suit with minimum invitational values.

This is why the Partnership Agreement is so important.

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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