January 2024 - 50

Newer Players
Reasoning with Robert
Fast arrival
T
he principle of fast arrival is
a key part of modern bidding.
The fundamental concept is,
when in a forcing auction, jumping
to the final contract (fast) shows a
hand unwilling to go further, while
other actions (slow) imply a stronger
hand and more interest. One of
the most common examples is in a
game-forcing auction when jumping
to game shows a lack of slam interest,
while any other bids show some slam
interest. When we jump to game, we
take away valuable bidding space and
make it more difficult for our side to
investigate slam. The action shows
a minimum hand and discourages
partner to bid on. When in a gameforce,
going slow leaves space to
communicate and is an effective way
to explore for slam without getting
the auction too high. One of the most
frustrating situations is to end up
playing in five of a major down one.
This is especially true when the
opponents did not push you there -
you chose to explore slam and got the
contract too high. Fast arrival is a
valuable tool to avoid this situation.
Jacoby 2NT auctions
One of the first places players encounter
an application of the principle
of fast arrival is in a Jacoby 2NT
auction.
1
With no shortness, opener has a
few options.
If responder has a spade fit, then
West Opener East Responder
1s
Pass 2NT(1)
1) Four-card spade support, game
forcing
they use the principle of fast arrival
in this auction as well.
4s = Minimum game-forcing hand
with little slam interest.
3s = A decent hand (or better) with
some slam interest.
50 | Bridge Bulletin | January 2024
4s = Minimum, 12-13 HCP
3NT = Balanced, 14-15 HCP
3s = Extras, 16+ HCP
This rebid structure is an example
of how fast arrival - the worst hand
jumping to game and the better hands
" going slow " - leaves more space to
communicate.
Jacoby 2NT auctions use fast arrival
for responder, too.
2
West Opener East Responder
1h
Pass 3d(2)
Pass 2NT(1)
Pass ?
1) Four-card heart support, game
forcing
2) Diamond shortness
When opener shows shortness,
responder re-evaluates their hand
and might apply the principle of fast
arrival to their next bid.
4h = I don't like my hand for slam. I
have wasted diamond values opposite
your shortness.
3h = I like my hand. I have very few
wasted values in the diamond suit.
2/1 game-forcing auctions
Another place where the principle
of fast arrival can be applied is in a
2/1 game-forcing auction.
West Opener East Responder
1s
Pass 2s
Pass 2h
Pass ?
CHALLENGE OF THE MONTH
Dlr: South s A J 10 5
Vul: None h 7 5 2
d A K 5 4
c 8 2
s Q 4 2
h K Q J 10
d Q J 3 2
c A 4
West North East
Pass 2c
Pass 3NT
Pass
All Pass
After a Stayman sequence fails to
turn up a major-suit fit, you become
declarer in 3NT as South.
West leads the cK. How do you
play?
continued on page 57
South
1NT
2h
BY ROBERT S. TODD
robert@advinbridge.com
advinbridge.com
The jump to game shows a hand
with very little interest in slam.
Opener should only bid on with a
strong hand. Bidding 3s therefore
must be a stronger hand. It implies
some slam interest and asks opener
if they have any slam interest themselves.
Non-game
forcing auctions
Opener Overcaller Responder Advancer
1h
Dbl
1s
?
Pass
2h
continued on page 52
http://www.advinbridge.com http://52 http://57
January 2024

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