Do anybody know if there exist analysis comparing how much the length of the auction affects the success rate of the final contract (Based on real life data with strong players)? This could (easily?) be done by comparing tables where the same contract was reached, but where the length of the auction was different. It makes sense that the shorter bidding sequences should score better on average, since less is revealed about the hands, making the defence harder. (Of course, on the other side- Short and less revealing bidding, will cost in ending up in poorer contracts).