Going Alone Strategy
When you're strong enough to take on all four defenders solo
What Does "Going Alone" Mean?
Normally, the picker calls a fail Ace to get a secret partner. When you "go alone," you skip calling a partner and play 1 vs 4 against all other players.
Reward
You keep ALL the points from your bury and tricks - no sharing with a partner!
Risk
Four players coordinating against you. Lose and you pay everyone.
When to Go Alone
You Have All Fail Aces
If you hold A♣ A♠ A♥ (all three fail Aces), you can't call anyone anyway! This is a "forced alone" - make the best of it by burying big points.
Monster Trump Hand
With 7+ strong trump including multiple Queens, you can dominate the hand. Example: Q♣ Q♠ Q♥ J♣ J♠ A♦ 10♦ - this hand crushes solo.
Huge Bury Potential
If you can bury 20+ points (two Aces, or Ace + Ten), going alone means those points are ALL yours instead of split with a partner.
The Ma's Plus Depth
Q♣ + Q♠ (The Ma's) with 5+ total trump gives you control. You can pull all enemy trump in 2-3 leads, then your remaining cards are winners.
Example Going Alone Hands
Excellent - Go Alone!
Win rate: ~85%Q♣ Q♠ Q♥ J♣ J♠ J♥ A♣ A♠
Six high trump dominates. Bury both Aces (22 pts). Lead Q♣, Q♠, Q♥ - opponents are out of trump by trick 3. Remaining Jacks clean up.
Strong - Consider Alone
Win rate: ~70%Q♣ Q♠ J♦ A♦ 10♦ K♦ A♣ 10♠
The Ma's control trump. Bury A♣ + 10♠ (21 pts). Lead high trump, then A♦ 10♦ are likely winners once trump exhausted.
Forced Alone (All Aces)
Win rate: ~55%J♣ J♥ A♦ K♦ A♣ A♠ A♥ 10♣
Can't call anyone - you have all Aces! Bury A♠ + A♥ (22 pts). Hope your Jacks and A♦ can win enough tricks. Risky but no choice.
Don't Go Alone
Win rate: ~40%Q♦ J♣ J♠ J♦ A♦ 10♦ A♣ K♥
Only Q♦ as Queen - opponents have higher trump. You'll lose trump battles. Call the A♠ or A♥ and get a partner's help!
Playing Strategy When Alone
Lead Trump Aggressively
Start with Q♣, then Q♠, etc. Every trump lead pulls 4 trump from opponents. After 2-3 trump leads, they're often out and your remaining cards win free.
Count Trump Religiously
There are 14 trump total. You have ~6-7. Track when opponents run out. Once they're empty, even your 7♦ is a winner!
Protect Your Point Cards
A♦ and 10♦ are vulnerable to higher trump. Don't lead them until you've pulled enough trump to make them safe.
Bury Maximum Points
Those bury points are ONLY yours. Two Aces = 22 points guaranteed. Ace + Ten = 21 points. This head start is huge when going alone.
Expect Coordinated Defense
All four opponents know they're defenders. They'll schmear to each other and lead fail suits to make you trump. Be ready for the onslaught.
Scoring When Going Alone
Going alone typically doubles the stakes (house rules vary):
If You Win (61+ pts)
- • You collect from ALL 4 players
- • Double points per player
- • Schneider/Schwarz bonuses apply
If You Lose (60 or less)
- • You pay ALL 4 players
- • Double points per player
- • Very expensive mistake!
Going Alone Mistakes
Going Alone with Weak Trump
Having 6 trump but they're all J♦ and diamonds means you lose every trump battle. You need QUALITY - Queens and high Jacks that can't be beaten.
Not Burying Enough Points
If you're going alone, MAXIMIZE the bury. 22 points buried is almost half of 61. Don't waste bury on 7s and 8s.
Leading Fail When You Have Trump
Every fail lead is a chance for opponents to dump points to each other. Lead trump first to prevent their coordination.
Ego-Driven Alone Decisions
Going alone because it's "cool" with a marginal hand is expensive. A partner helps! Only go alone when the math clearly supports it.