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Defending against a lone call, page 3

Stopping a 3rd seat lone call


Last update on: Feb 01, 2019

Many third seat lone calls can be stopped, but to do so, the hand must be played correctly. One reason the third seat is such a hard spot to make a successful lone from is that the dealer has the ability to create a void in a suit. To take advantage of this, the dealer should try to discard next and their partner should try to lead next. This may allow the dealer to ultimately either trump or over-trump the first lead, therefore stopping the lone.

Look at the following example

Table Position
How to stop a lone call Image 12

The dealer is sitting in the South position. West orders the 9 of clubs into the dealer's hand and calls alone.


How to stop a lone call Image 13

Having picked up the 9 of clubs, South then discards the 10 of spades. His partner in North leads a spade. The maker(E) plays his ace. South trumps the ace, stopping the lone call. It is a simple plan that is also very effective.


Example 2

How to stop a lone call Image 14

In the hand above the score is 9 to 7 in favor of North/South. The dealer is in the North position, and has just dealt and turned up a 9 of diamonds. West orders the dealer to pick up the 9. After the dealer(S) places the 9 in his hand, he correctly discards his only heart.


Wrong lead into lone 4

South leads the 10 of hearts (next). The maker(W) trumps the heart with the queen. Things are not looking good for the N/S team. With a successful completion of this lone and E/W will win the game.


But wait, North over-trumps with the king and N/S are still in the game!

On the next hand, N/S makes the final point for the win.


Example 3 (hand played incorrectly)


Wrong lead into lone - 1

In this example, the dealer is sitting in the South position. He deals and turns up the 9 of clubs. East orders the club into the dealer's hand. The dealer(S) correctly discards the queen of spades.


Wrong lead into lone - 2

North seat leads the ace of hearts. The maker(E) takes the trick with his ace. He then lays down the rest of his cards collecting 4 points.

In euchre, seemingly minor errors such as leading the wrong card can make a big difference in the outcome of a game. For example, in this hand, two good methods of stopping a lone call are ignored. First, next is not led on a third seat lone call, and second, a single ace is led into a lone call. If defended correctly, this lone call would have been stopped on the first lead.



Suggested Further Reading:

Defending against a lone call, page 1
Can the call be stopped?

Defending against a lone call, page 2
The problem with leading a single ace into a lone

Defending against a lone call, page 3
Stopping a 3rd seat lone call

Defending against a lone call, page 4
Choosing correct card

Defending against a lone call, page 5
Saving the correct card

When should you call alone?
What is the minimum hand needed?

Legal Communication in euchre, page 1
Correct method of communicating with your partner


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