Bones won in tricks during this stage are discard to the side opposite the boneyard face-down. After each player has drawn from the boneyard, the dealer turns over another bone, and play continues until the boneyard is empty. This marks the end of the first stage. Before beginning the second stage, players bid on how many points they think they will win in the second stage. Bids may range from 4 up to 42.
Bidding continues as long as the opponent is willing to raise the previous bid.
Once one player bids 42 the game starts there is no higher bids as in the game Forty-Two. If both players pass, the bones are thrown in and the deal passes to the next player. Once the bidding has stopped the high bidder determines the trump suit, and leads to the first trick. Players must follow suit if possible. A player unable to follow suit may play any bone.