Bidding in depth
A measure of the tricks a hand can win in the first two rounds of each suit.
A quick trick is a holding that wins one of the first two rounds of a suit whatever the defenders do — a trick that does not depend on first setting up a long suit. Quick tricks measure the fast, reliable strength in a hand: the honours that cash early, before the other side can get going.
A lone king, or a queen without the ace or king beside it, counts nothing here: those cards may take a trick eventually, but not quickly and not for certain.
The main use is the strong 2♣ opening. A hand a little short of the usual 22 points can still open the game-forcing 2♣ if it holds a solid long suit and at least four quick tricks. That means about 16 points with six good hearts or spades, or 18 with seven good clubs or diamonds. The long suit supplies most of the tricks, and the quick tricks back it up. Without that backing you open one of your suit and describe the hand naturally.
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