During the play of a hand one person may know exactly how many tricks their side will make (This can be as soon as Dummy goes down). If so then it is pointless to play out the rest of the hand so the game can be speeded up - indeed, to prolong the play of a hand to disconcert an opponent is an infraction. The best way forward is to make a claim (or concession).

How to make a claim

1. You must make a statement on how many tricks you will win/ lose.
2. You must include in the statement exactly how you will play the hand - including the order in which the tricks will be taken
3. You face your hand on the table so the other side can look at it

The claim statement

The law states that in resolving a disputed claim the Director will resolve things as equitably as possible but any doubtful point will be ruled against the claimer. It is therefore important that if making a claim you must indicate how you will resolve any potential problems, no matter how 'obvious' they may seem - rule book uses the words 'normal play' with a note that 'normal includes careless or inferior play for the class of person making the claim'.

Example

Suppose a suit is distributed as such - and there is no entry to the long suit:

AQ84 opposite K7532

When making a claim if a statement is made, regarding this suit "I have 5 tricks" then this is incorrect (the suit could be 4-0). If you stated "I will take 5 tricks unless the suit is split 4-0 against me" then you would be ruled against. Can you see why?

There is a potential unblocking issue in the suit. If the suit is split 3-1 (happens 50% of the time) then you will have to play the AKQ to clear the opponents' cards. If you do not unblock the 8 then you will be left with:-

8 opposite 75 - and you can't reach the long card. Since you didn't mention the possibility of having to unblock there is some doubt as to whether or not you would have - and so the ruling assumes that you would not.

What if you don't agree to the claim?

You have two options.

1.  Ask the claimer to play on. All players (including dummy) must agree, BUT the person who made the claim is fully entitled to make use of the fact that the claim has been challenged and, furthermore, may make use of anything disclosed during a discussion. There is no going back - once everyone agrees to play on then the claim never existed. My advice would be to never to offer to play on.
2. Call the Director. If so then play ceases and nothing should happen until the director is called. He will ask the claimer to repeat his claim statement and then listen to objections from the other side. He will then make a decision as to how many tricks will be made.

Can the director award a weighted decision? e.g. if there is a two-way finesse can he give 50% for the score depending of the way the finesse is taken?

No! The director will state how many tricks will be made. This has to be a single number.

If you disagree with the ruling.

You have the right to appeal the decision. The Director should have already consulted with other players or Directors before reaching a verdict. In most sessions the result will probably be adjudicated at the end since the Director is playing.

Summary

Making a claim should speed up the playing of hands - but be careful how you make it.