Defensive claim

[blackshoe]

Have you told the WBFLC?

I have not. And I seem to have missed Grattan's deadline. :(

[pran]

The only suggestion I can imagine as workable is not on the list:

 

A player (declarer or defender, but not dummy) may only claim or concede at his own turn to play.

 

I know quite a few players who already think that is the law.

It slows down the game horribly. It's common to sit there as a defender trying to decide how you can possibly beat the contract; you finally lead something and declarer immediately says "I've got the rest"

The fact that I wrote this as the only workable suggestion I could imagine doesn't imply that I shall agree with it. In fact I directly oppose it.

 

Any player except dummy is at present free to claim or concede at any time, at his own risk, and so be it so long as we at all accept claims and/or concessions.

 

Should the impossible happen that a player picks up 37 HCP he will certainly be entitled to bid 7NT and claim before even the closing pass!

[bluejak]

smug: having or showing excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements

rude: offensive, impolite, or ill mannered

 

I don't think the mere act of claiming before the opening lead is faced meets either of these two definitions. However, it is IMO illegal: claims occur during the play period, and that period doesn't start until the lead is faced.

At one time the Sharples brothers had a reputation as Britain's best slam bidders. Once they bid up to 7♥ then put their hands back in the board.

 

"Excuse me," said John Collings, "I think I still have a bid."

 

"Sorry" said one of them (they were great friends with John) and they took their hands out again.

 

"Seven Spades," said John, holding xxxx xxx xxx xxx.

 

Jim thought for five minutes, then bid 7NT. This was on a finesse, which he knew, of course.

 

The finesse won. :)

[jnichols]

Oh, the one time I did it, there was definitely some smug by that exact definition...

I was feeling quite smug, that's for sure.