Cryptic Drury

(Draft) - Ideas by Rob Forster

Introduction:

Drury is used after a 1/ opening in 3^rd (or 4^th) seat. A 2 response is used to show a limit raise and ask opener to distinguish between "real" and "light" opening hands. In the 2-way version, both 2 and 2 carry this meaning, but 2 promises exactly 3-card support, and 2 promises 4-card support.

The idea of Cryptic Drury is to use these two bids to show, instead of trump length, the presence (or lack) of a high trump honor. Coupling this with a requirement that light 3^rd/4^th seat openers must show at least one of the AK of trumps, we have the following:

1/-2	Limit raise in support, exactly 1 of the AK of trump.
1/-2	Limit raise in support, 0 or 2 of the AK of trump.

After a 2 response, the (often) known location of the A and K can be used to encrypt further bidding and game tries to the extent possible. This will rarely not be possible when opener has neither AK and a real opener, but applies in all other cases. The bidding encryption should pair weak signoff bids with sound balanced values to discourage competition.

After 2, the auction proceeds normally as reverse Drury, with 2M weak, and other bids being natural or game tries as per partnership agreement.

Opener's First Rebid After 2:

We use the mnemonic that opener bids "honestly" holding the A (per reverse Drury), and "dishonestly" holding the K. Thus:

1M-2-2M	Light with the A or sound with the K.
1M-2-2	Light with the K or sound with the A (or neither).

Obviously with neither AK and an opening hand, opener must bid 2D lest 2M be passed when partner holds the K. Note in the first sequence, when 2M is sound and unlimited responder will be obligated to make a further game try, thus blowing the encryption. Similarly, in the second sequence, if 2D is followed by a 2H relay and then is passed without attempting a game try, the encryption will be similarly revealed.

More on 1^st Rebid: Protecting the Encryption:

The above problem of revealing the key above is fixed by allowing other direct bids by opener after a 2 response.

Opener's Rebids after 1M-2

2 / 2M	When sound, shows a balanced min without stoppers for 2NT
2OM	encrypted game try, responder bids first suit they would accept with A and first suit they would decline with the K. (Continuations?)
2NT	Natural, stoppers 12-14 (?)
3X	Game forcing, showing shortness (with K) or a 2^nd suit (with A). Partner cuebids, showing first available (with A) or first missing (with K).
3M	Preemptive? Trump game try? Quantitative game try? (encryption?)
3NT	Choice of games
4M	To play.

After 1M – 2

– 2M (sound), responder can pass (declining the invite), or make a natural help suit game try (blowing the encryption). Note that the sequence 1M – 2

– 2M can either show a bust signing off or a balanced opener and a declined game invite.

Responder’s Rebid and Further Continuations:

When not covered above, responder will primarily have to deal with a 2

rebid by opener, either light (with K) or sound (with A or neither), based on opener’s holding.

After 1M – 2 – 2 - ?

2M	Attempted signoff (with A) or balanced minimum (with K)
other	new suits or 2NT are natural (unencrypted) game invites (with K)

Direct game invites by responder are only possible holding the K, which allows 2D to be interpreted as sound (with A or without). These expose the key, if any.

After 1M – 2 – 2 – 2M, opener will pass (with K), or may decline the invite (with A), make a natural(?) game try (with A) , or must make a natural game try (with none). Optionally, 2M+ as Kokish. Responders should note that opener may be unaware of his 2M meaning, other than as an attempted signoff.

Encryption in Competition?

Drury on in competition? Possible that 2/2 retain meaning if available, over 2 either replaces 2 or 2 becomes all-purpose Drury.