"Going alone""American politicians have been either proud of themselves or critical of others for "going it alone" since about 1850, when card players began using this phrase to designate a player's decision to take in their tricks without the help of their partner. It may only be called by the person declaring trump, not their partner."</ref> is initiated at the time the bidder orders the upturned card on the kitty to the dealer or names a suit. The bidder signifies their desire to play alone by saying so after bidding. The bidder must make this call before play begins. During a "loner" or lone hand, the bidder's partner discards their cards, and does not participate in play of the hand. In some regional variants (see below), if the dealer's partner "calls them up"/"orders it up" (on the turned up card), they are obliged to go alone for that hand.