Section 3: Setup & Deal
Choosing the First Dealer
Choose the first dealer by mutual agreement or by drawing cards from the shuffled deck. If cards are drawn, the player drawing the lower-ranked card deals first; an ace is low. Redraw ties. The deal normally alternates after every hand, including a hand that ends without a score.
Shuffling and Dealing
- The dealer thoroughly shuffles the deck.
- The nondealer may cut the deck.
- The dealer gives each player ten cards, one card at a time, face down. Dealing may proceed clockwise or by alternating cards directly between the two players, provided both receive ten cards.
- Each player picks up and privately examines their hand.
- The dealer places the next card face up to begin the discard pile.
- The remaining cards are placed face down as the stock pile.
Keep the discard pile beside the stock so its top card is clearly visible. Earlier discards may remain slightly spread or squared into one pile, but only the top card is normally available to be drawn.
Opening Choice
The nondealer receives the first opportunity to take the initial face-up card. If the nondealer declines it, the dealer may take it. A player who takes the initial upcard completes the turn by discarding one card.
If both players decline the initial upcard, the nondealer begins regular play by drawing the top card of the face-down stock. The nondealer then discards normally. Neither player draws from the stock during the opening offer until both have declined the upcard.
Incorrect Deals
If an incorrect number of cards is discovered before regular play begins, gather the cards, reshuffle, and redeal with the same dealer. If play has already begun, casual groups should stop and redeal unless the problem can be corrected immediately without revealing hidden information or changing meaningful decisions.