Duplicate bridge results and tip: Be careful when you claim

By Val Rhead

Everyone at the table is happy with a CLAIM if it saves time and they are then able to move on to the next hand. It is usually done by declarer but any player may make a CLAIM.

There is a proper way to CLAIM to save confusion. First, CLAIM only when it is your turn to play. Second, make a CLAIM statement such as “I have all but one of the remaining tricks”. Finally, play out the cards in order, one at a time, making a statement as you play, “I play my Ace, King of Trump, then my Ace, King of Clubs, then the good King of Hearts and I give you the last Heart”.

If a CLAIM is made without the statement of how to play the cards, the opponent might disagree and say something like “Wait a minute, I disagree!” Once the CLAIM is made, however, play has ended. CLAIMER cannot, after the fact, give an explanation of how to play the remainder of the tricks – it is too late! Perhaps, there is a logical way to play the cards that would not work. CLAIMER has been alerted of a possible problem, and may want to give a different explanation than his original plan. In this case, the opponent will call the Director. The Director will give to the opponents the trick or tricks of the logical way to play the cards that favours the opponents. The Director makes the assumption that the CLAIMER could make a logical mistake when playing the cards out.

The CLAIMER is not allowed to change his mind and say he’ll play it out after he has made a contested CLAIM. Here again, he may realise that his CLAIM isn’t makeable as planned. If CLAIMER has any doubt about the validity of his CLAIM, he should play more tricks before making the CLAIM to be sure that he is correct. Perhaps in a No Trump game, the five Hearts that are outstanding are split five – zero. Unluckily, declarer only has the top four Hearts! CLAIMER never saves time if the CLAIM is contested. It takes longer to sort out the failed CLAIM than it does to play out the hand in its entirety.

Be sure it’s true when you say “I love you”, Oops I mean, “I have the rest of the tricks.”

If you wish to promote an activity in your bridge group or ask a bridge question, send the information to [email protected] and I will include it in this column.

FERN RESORT, ORILLIA, Bridge Getaway Weekend
By ACBL Bridge Teacher GREG COLES
Seminars and Games
Tips in Bidding, Play and Defense
Friday – Sunday Oct 21-23, 2016 $395 per person double Plus Tax and Service
This is another fun opportunity to continue the learning process that never ends.
For more information and registration, go to www.fernresort.com OR (705)325-2256 1-800-567-3376
OR Greg (705)717-4133 [email protected]

CFUW MUSKOKA BRIDGE FOR BURSARIES FUNDRAISER
LUNCH AND BRIDGE PARTY, ALL WELCOME
12 NOON FOR LUNCH Friday, October 21, 2016 $20 per person
Gravenhurst Senior’s Centre 480 First Street North

A great opportunity to enjoy bridge, companionship and support for young women in Muskoka to go to college and university. Please arrange your foursome and bring cards for your table. To register, please provide all four names to either:
Cathy Genereux 705-687-2157 [email protected]
Carol Wilson 705-646-2567 [email protected]

HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB

Games for the Huntsville Club are Tuesdays, 7:15pm, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. Contact Jan Roberts 705-635-2522 or [email protected] for information and partnerships.

The following winners are for Tuesday, Oct 4 with 10 tables playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Bruce Elliott and Rod Dixon; 2. Chris Karn and Vern Foell; 3. Jacqueline Britz and Joel Britz; 4. Val Rhead and Peter Rhead; 5. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; East-West 1. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 2. Mary Whitehead and Helen Pearson; 3. Art Insley and Don Norman; 4. Fay MacDonald and Yvonne Cox; 5. Ann Cassie and Bruce Cassie

MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)

Games at the Bracebridge Club are at the Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road 7pm Monday evenings. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For information or partnerships, call Brian at 705-645-5340 [email protected]

The following winners are from Monday, Oct 3 with 9 tables playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 2. Pamela Jardine and Ralph Mitchell; 3. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 4. Val Rhead and Peter Rhead; 5. Fay MacDonald and Mary Whitehead; East-West 1. Joanne Garvey and Kelly Andresen; 2. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 3. Catherine McMillan and Julianne Guselle; 4. Art Insley and Don Evans; 5. Ann Cassie and Bruce Cassie

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