Response to 1M with 4/5 card support and two aces

[smerriman]

These two similar hands came up tonight within the space of 4 boards:

 

[hv=https://www.bridgebase.com/tools/handviewer.html?sn=smerriman&s=ST9HA9754DT854CA4&d=w&v=o&b=30&a=P1HP]200|300[/hv] [hv=https://www.bridgebase.com/tools/handviewer.html?sn=smerriman&s=SA962H7DA9754CT85&d=s&v=o&b=33&a=PP1SP]200|300[/hv]

 

Are either of these hands "too good" to preemptively raise to 4? If so, what would you bid instead (both in the above cases, and if you were/weren't a psssed hand respectively). Playing two-way Drury in the passed hand cases.

[Tramticket]

The first I raise to 4♥ (even playing four-card majors).

 

I'm tempted to splinter on the second since I have limited my hand by passing.

[The_Badger]

I think it's possible to overanalyse these hands. That said, other players have different ways of handling these scenarios - e.g. Bergen, Drury, etc. Passed or not passed, I think it is slightly criminal making a pre-emptive raise with two aces.

 

On the first hand, I might (reluctantly) raise to 4♥ if I were a passed hand, bidding to the level of the fit, though partner only needs ♠AKxx ♥Kxxxx ♦x ♣Kxx and a slam goes begging.

 

If there were any way that both hands could be shown by a limit raise of 3♥/3♠ showing 10-12 points and four card+ trump support then I don't think you are doing much wrong. In my opinion, that's what both hands are worth, hand one with the fifth trump but with two doubletons, hand two with the useful singleton.

 

Splintering with hand two is also a possible option as Tramticket says.

[hrothgar]

Forcing NT following by 4M on hand one

 

4 Card Drury on hand two

[billyjef]

Both hands are too strong for preemptive action but not strong enough to insist on game. Choosing the appropriate invitational bid, "partner, if your hand is a trick better than minimum, please bid game," is my vote.

[pescetom]

I would bid fit showing invitational (in our case 2NT) in the first case, but consider a splinter in the second case if it is a passed hand (in which case I presume we were dealer, not first to bid as currently shown in OP).

[fromageGB]

The first hand is best described in my responses as 4 card support balanced 9-12, and we have a 3M-2 bid for that.

The second could be bid the same way, but better - if you have it available - is a 4 card support 9/10 hcp mini-splinter, which for us is 3M-1 if short in the other major.

 

On hand one I do insist on game if partner declines, but the benefit of showing what you have (as opposed say to a direct 4♥) is that it makes it easier for partner if he is considering slam.