Major Suit Openers By Third Hand
Situation: After two passes, third hand, holding these cards, is faced with a delicate decision: to open or not?
ª KJxxx
© Jxx
¨ Ax
§ xxxThe Dilemma. Chances are all hands are about even in points. If this hand passes, fourth hand will probably open 1 Club or 1 Diamond and opponents may find a Heart fit, shutting out our side. But, if this hand opens 1 Spade, fourth hand may not be able to overcall or double, and we may get the contract at a low level. The problem is that this hand is below the opening values required in our system. If it opens and partner jumps to Three Spades with 9 HCP -- a standard limit raise -- , we could go down 800. What to do?
An Answer -- The Drury Opening. Our system allows for light third hand openings of major suits only. Generally, a five card major suit with 9 HCP is minimum, depending on vulnerability. To prevent the down 800 situation we use the (Reverse) Drury convention. This allows the passed hand to determine if the third hand opener is legitimate or light, and it stops the bidding at an appropriate level.
Full Strength Minor Openers. Third hand openings of minor suits are therefore normal strength -- why open a weak 1 Club in third position and allow fourth hand to bid his 10 point Spade hand, getting a plus score on a hand which may get passed-out ?
Examples of Drury OpeningsN E S WP P ???
ª AKJxx
© xx
¨ Jxx
§ xxxOpen 1 Spade.
ª xxxxxx
© xx
¨ Qxx
§ AKJx
Open 1 Spade.
ª xx
© xx
¨ Qxx
§ AKJxxxPass -- don't bid 1 Club and let North overcall one Spade or Heart.
(Three Clubs is OK, but not 1 Club)