The theory of fast arrival.
Bridge Column for July 5, 2002, Harvey Bernstein
Neither side vulnerable.  East deals.
                              North
                              S: Q J 6            
                              H: J 10 4 2    
                              D: J 8 3       
                              C: K 8 4   
            West                             East
            S: A K 7 4 3 2                   S: 10 9 5   
            H: A K Q 9 3                     H: 8 7 5      
            D: 7                             D: K 9 6 5 4         
            C: Q                             C: 3 2         
                              South                         
                              S: 8
                              H: 6       
                              D: A Q 10 2  
                              C: A J 10 9 7 6 5
          The Bidding:  
                   East   South     West   North                  
                   Pass    1C      Double   1NT 
                    2D     5C      Double   Pass
                   Pass    Pass
     The theory of fast arrival relates to bidding.  When you
hold a hand that is rich in trick taking ability but not
necessarily rich in high card points, you should try to bid to
the maximum level as quickly as possible to keep the opposition
from being able to evaluate their assets.
     In today's hand, South opened one club and West made a take-
out double.  North does not have enough to re-double, and bids
one no trump to show a balanced hand with less than ten high card
points.  East bids his five card suit (I think he should passs),
and South has to decide how to continue.  
     He knows that North has some points and three or four clubs. 
With a singleton in each major suit, if he bids this hand slowly,
it is very likely that the opponents will find a fit.  It is much
better for him to make West guess at the five level than at the
three level.  I think that West's final double was more out of
frustration than anything else.
     West led the king of hearts and followed with the king of
spades.  At trick three he led his singleton diamond and school
was out.
     In the modern tournament style, most partnerships would use
Michael's Cue Bid with the West hand.  When South opens one club
or one Diamond, West bids two of whichever suit South opened.  He
is telling his partner that he has at least five cards in each
major and he has either a weak hand, in which case he will not
bid again; or a strong hand, in which case he will bid again. 
With a hand of intermediate values he would simply overcall the
higher ranking suit and then bid the second suit at his next
opportunity.         
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Bernstein is a free-lance writer in Solon.