The joker is always the highest trump. The jack of the trump suit is the second-highest trump and is called the right bower . The jack of the other suit of the same color as the trump suit is the third-highest trump and is called the left bower . First dealer is chosen by low cut. After the first round of the deal, three cards are placed face down in the middle of the table to form the widow .
Bidding begins with the player on the dealer's left.
Each player has one chance to bid, either passing or making a bid higher than any preceding bid. If all players pass, the deal is thrown in without score and the next dealer deals. Otherwise the highest bid becomes the contract. The high bidder takes the widow into his hand and discards three cards face down. He then leads to the first trick.