Practice on Cuebids
Direct practice for this topic is not mapped yet. Use Cuebids scenarios to build hands for this agreement.
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Systems
Last updated
2026-07-31
What is Drury?
Drury is a convention used by a passed hand after partner opens one of a major, usually in third or fourth seat. A 2 response shows an invitational raise of the major.
The convention protects light third-seat openings by letting opener stop low with a minimum.
Passed hand shows a good raise
- Responder is a passed hand.
- 2 is artificial and shows spade support with invitational values.
Opener rebids
Drury is forcing for one round, so opener may not pass 2. Regular and reverse methods use opposite low-level rebids to distinguish a light third- or fourth-seat opening from a sound opening hand.
- In original Drury, a 2 rebid is the negative action showing a light opening, while a return to two of the agreed major confirms a sound opening.
- In common Reverse Drury, two of the agreed major is the negative action showing a light opening, while 2 confirms a sound opening.
- Other rebids, such as a new suit, are natural or game tries by agreement and suggest at least a sound opening opposite the invitational raise.
Partnership agreements
Drury needs clear on/off rules because it lives in passed-hand auctions. Most pairs define whether it applies after a third-seat opening only or after a fourth-seat opening as well, and whether it stays on after a double or an overcall. A common default is to switch Drury off after any interference, although some pairs keep it on when the opening bid is doubled.
Two-Way Reverse Drury commonly uses 2 for an invitational raise with exactly three-card support and 2 for one with four or more trumps. Both artificial bids require agreed opener continuations.
- In one-way Drury, define whether 2 can contain either three-card or four-card support.
- Decide if Drury is still on after right-hand opponent doubles.
- Keep opener's rebids simple enough that light third-seat openings remain safe.
Drury examples
Drury protects the partnership from getting too high after a light third-seat opening while still letting a passed hand show a good raise.
Opener opened light and signs off
- In reverse Drury, opener's 2 often says the opening was light or minimum.
- Responder normally passes with the invitational raise.
Opener accepts the invitation
- Opener has a full opening hand and enough to accept game opposite the Drury raise.
- The artificial 2 gave opener room to stop low or bid game.
Sound opening, responder bids game
- In reverse Drury, the 2 rebid shows a sound opening bid.
- Opposite a sound opening, responder with a full invitation simply bids the game.
Four-card raise in Two-Way Reverse Drury
- In the standard two-way split, 2 is artificial and shows an invitational raise with four or more spades.
- The corresponding 2 response shows the invitational raise with exactly three spades.
Passed-hand raise examples
Responder has already limited the hand by passing, so Drury is about fit quality and playing strength rather than raw high-card strength alone.
Good Drury raise
- After passing and hearing partner open 1 in third seat, responder has a strong raise.
- 2 Drury lets opener say whether the opening was light.
Too weak for Drury
- This is a normal weak raise, not an invitational passed-hand raise.
- Bid the simple raise if available rather than Drury.
Common mistakes
- Using Drury as an unpassed hand.
- Forgetting whether the partnership plays regular or reverse Drury.
- Opening light in third seat without knowing whether partner has Drury available.
- Having no agreement for a passed hand with long clubs now that the natural 2 response is gone.
FAQ
Is Drury forcing?
Yes. 2 Drury is artificial and forcing for one round, so opener must clarify strength and may not pass.
Does Drury apply after a 1 opening?
No. It is normally used after partner opens one of a major.
Is Drury on after a double or an overcall?
That is a partnership agreement. Many pairs switch Drury off after any interference and revert to natural methods, while some keep it on when the opening bid is doubled. Agree explicitly, because passed-hand auctions in competition are easy to misread.