In the game of
contract bridge
Contract bridge, or simply bridge, is a trick-taking card game using a standard 52-card deck. In its basic format, it is played by four players in two competing partnerships, with partners sitting opposite each other around a table. Millions ...
, the principle of fast arrival (also known as the principle of slow arrival) is a
bidding
Bidding is an offer (often competitive) to set a price tag by an individual or business for a product or service ''or'' a demand that something be done. Bidding is used to determine the cost or value of something.
Bidding can be performed ...
treatment widely used in
game forcing auctions whereby:
* Bidding
game directly, usually via a jump bid, shows a minimum hand for one's previous bidding, and is limiting, and
* Conversely, making a
forcing bid
In the card game contract bridge, a forcing bid is any that obliges the partner to bid over an intermediate opposing pass. Owing to the partnership's bidding system or a bridge convention, partner must "keep the bidding open", i.e. not pass, there ...
, such as a change of suit below game level, shows extra strength or potential beyond the minimum.
Historically, constructive bidding was based on the idea that the stronger a responding hand, the higher a bid, or jump, was made. In modern bidding styles, a slower progression of bids was deemed a more scientific method of investigating for the best contract. The principle of fast arrival was a logical product of this newer style and inverted previous meanings on the premise that since jumps to game leave less room for slam investigation, they imply an absence of slam values and therefore discourage more bidding.
In addition, on weaker (or limited) hands fast arrival has a
pre-emptive effect on the opposition and minimizes the information they might otherwise exchange.
Stated conversely as the principle of slow arrival, the approach leaves more bidding space for stronger hands to explore for slam or choose the optimum game contract.
See also
*
Bridge maxims
*
Principle of restricted choice
*
Useful space principle
The Useful Space Principle, or ''USP'', in the game of contract bridge was first articulated in a series of six articles in '' The Bridge World'', published from November 1980 through April 1981. (The International Bridge Press Association awarded ...
References
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Contract bridge bidding