This conventional method was devised by Mr. Marty Bergen. He arrived at the conclusion that if surrendering the 2 Clubs bid as being a natural bid would be a small sacrifice to pay, then surrendering the 2 Diamonds bid also would be a small sacrifice in order to allow the responder to describe his hand more accurately.
Note: this conceived method is also known by many in the bridge community as Two-Way Drury. (See: bh)
Mr. Marty Bergen concluded that a 2 Clubs response by the responder, who is already a passed hand, could show a 3-card support for the opening Major suit with 10-12 points, and that a 2 Diamonds response by the responder, who is already a passed hand, could show a 4-card (plus) support for the opening Major suit with 10-12 points.
Bergen Drury in Auctions
Although this seems immaterial at first, the following two examples show the difference and importance of this form of auction.
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2  |
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2  |
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North |
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East |
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South |
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Meaning |
| Pass |
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Pass |
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Pass |
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1  |
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| Pass |
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2 |
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Promises a 3-card Heart support and 10-12 points. |
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| West |
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North |
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East |
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South |
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Meaning |
| Pass |
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Pass |
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Pass |
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1 |
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| Pass |
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2 |
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Promises a 4-card Heart support and 10-12 points. |
With the first example, Mr. Marty Bergen suggests bidding 2 Clubs to indicate 3-card support after the bid of 1 Heart by his partner.
With the second example, Mr. Marty Bergen suggests bidding 2 Diamonds to indicate 4-card support after the bid of 1 Heart by the opener.
Upon examining the two holdings, one concludes that Hand 1 has one more Losing Tricks than Hand 2, which could mean the difference between a part-score and game. With this additional information, the opener has a better chance to reach game, knowing that there is a 9-card trump suit instead of an 8-card trump suit.
Continuances
All continuances are a matter of partnership agreement.
Note: Although the original version of the Drury convention as devised by Mr. Douglas Drury has undergone modifications, it is up to the partnership to conclude which form of the Drury convention it wishes to play. Whichever modification the partnership chooses to include in their bidding process, it should be included also in their individual partnership agreement.
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.