[aguahombre]

gszes, on 2015-January-07, 14:35, said:

NO CLUE what level opps you are speaking of BUT I know when I teach relative beginners the first
rule of declarer play is NEVER CLAIM. I do this not so much because it is a poor idea but I very
much want them to practice practice practice counting suits and watching the spots. Once they get
good enough at that I can introduce them to squeeze play.

That is interesting. I have found that when my newbies get the counting of suits, the counting of tricks comes easily ---followed by easy claims.

But, again ---only a claim or consession of ALL the remaining tricks. When all but one trick is in sight, we enter the realm of "simple squeezes which just kind of happen."

[helene_t]

At a low level (and in most clubs and 3rd division county leage, unknown opps could well have a very low level), it is probably better not to claim unless you have all remaining trumps in one hand. The thing is, some clueless opps may object to your claim no matter how trivial it is, and when there is a playing director, director calls should be minimized.

Don't feel offended if opps behave as if they think you are a moron. First of all, they might not know you. Secondly, they may just be morons themselves.

[Jinksy]

Thirdly, they might be right

[jogs]

How old was the declarer? Some players never claim down 1.
They also don't accept legit claims.

[barmar]

gszes, on 2015-January-07, 14:35, said:

Once they get
good enough at that I can introduce them to squeeze play.

After that you teach them finesses?