Null

Null

Card Rank

7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - Jack - Queen - King - Ace

There is nothing complicated about playing a null. However, I would like to point out some common mistakes. When you are playing a trump hand, there are seven cards in the suit. But when you are playing a null, there are eight cards in the suit. I have seen a lot of null plays misplayed because players cannot count to eight. I am sure as you play the game you will experience what I’m talking about.

 

Many players are ‘Single Card Challenged’. That is no matter what the circumstances, the first thing that they are going to do is lead a singleton. In a trump game, many times a singleton lead is incorrect. However, in a Null play, a singleton lead is always correct.

 

Null Combinations

To play Null, you have to have a sequence of cards that look like 7-9-J or 7-9-J-K. If you have a sequence of cards that looks like this, the opponents cannot make you take a trick. One exception, if it is your lead, there is a slight probability of losing. This is an acceptable risk that all Skat players should take.

Null Risk Combinations

  1. A singleton eight. I hope you don't have another suit that is real long.
  2. a singleton nine and hope that the seven and eight are in the same hand. You gotta be drinking!
  3. 8 - 9 combination. You got a real good chance.
  4. 7 - 10 combination. You are pushing it!
  5. 7 – 9 - Queen combination. Good luck on this one.
  6. 7 – 9 – Jack - Ace combination. If there are four in one hand, you lose. I like your chances (Winner 92:100).
  7. And if you’re really desperate 7 - 9 - King - Ace combination. The only way to win this hand is the cards have to be sitting 2 and 2 (winner 42:100).

Miscellaneous Null Comments

Expected distribution when a bidder holds 3 cards

  1. 3-3-2          70 out of a 100 times
  2. 3-4-1          27 out of a 100 times
  3. 3-5-0          3 out of a 100 times

When the bidder is playing Null, and I’m sitting with an Ace – King – 7 – combination, I could play the seven and hope my partner has the 8 or I could play Ace, King and then the 7  hoping that my partner only had two of that suit and the bidder had three.

 

Expected distribution when a bidder holds 4 cards

  1. 4-2-2          42 out of a 100 times
  2. 4-3-1          50 out of a 100 times
  3. 4-4-0          8 out of a 100 times

When the bidder is playing Null, and I’m sitting with an Ace – King – Queen – combination and Queen – Jack – 7, I could play the Ace, King, Queen hoping for a 4-3-1 split so my partner could clear that I could catch the bidder with the 7. This is where your partner can show you his singleton.

Expected distribution when a bidder holds 5 cards

  1. 5-2-1          79 out of a 100 times
  2. 5-3-0          21 out of a 100 times

Beating a Null requires good communication with your partner. You have to be able to read the mail. The first thing you look for is a singleton lead. If there are no singletons, you’re going to have to use a little imagination. Keep the bidder in the middle and pay attention to what your partner is playing. And remember, in Null, there are eight cards in the suit.

If you click on the following link Cleveland Skat Club and scroll down to page 3 you will find additional information on playing a "Null" (thanks Bill).

On page 157, In "Wergin On skat and sheepshead", Joe presents a complete breakdown on how to play Nulls.