How do claims work in bridge?
I · Intermediate · Irregularities · 4 of 5A player may claim or concede tricks to save time. A claim should come with a clear statement of how the tricks will be won. If an opponent disputes it, play stops and the Director rules, resolving any doubtful point against the claimer. A claimer who forgot a trump still out loses tricks to it if any normal play could.
How it works
- Claim: a statement that a side will win a number of tricks, or showing cards to end play.
- Concession: a statement that a side will lose tricks.
- Statement: the line of play, including the order of cards.
- Disputed: play stops and the Director is called.
- Doubtful points: resolved against the claimer.
- Outstanding trump: tricks to it may go to the opponents if the claimer did not mention it.
- "Normal" play: includes careless or inferior play for the class of player.
- Agreed: scored as claimed; can be withdrawn within the correction period if wrong.
The glossary has the claim, the concession, the agreed claim, the contested claim, the trick and the Director.
Tricky cases
A defender concedes, but their partner objects at once. Does it count?
No. Neither a claim nor a concession has occurred, and play goes on.
Declarer claims without mentioning a trump still out. What does the Director do?
Gives the opponents a trick if declarer was likely unaware of it and any normal play could lose to it.
Can a claimer change their line of play later?
No. The Director will not accept a better line that was not stated, if a worse normal one exists.
A player conceded a trick they had already won. Can it be restored?
Yes, within the correction period.
Why the rule exists
Claims save time on hands already decided. Ruling doubts against the claimer makes players state their line in full before stopping play.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Agreed claim | Scored as claimed | Law 69 |
| Contested claim | The Director rules | Law 70 |
| Wrong concession | Cancelled in the correction period | Law 71 |
From the rule book
World Bridge Federation, The Laws of Duplicate Bridge 2017, Laws 68 to 71. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the WBF Laws of Duplicate Bridge 2017.