A deck of cards is shuffled and spread face down on the table. Each player picks one card. When no outside players will join the group, the player's names are listed in descending order, highest first. A deck of cards is shuffled, spread face down on the table and each player picks a card. The two highest become partners and the lowest sits out.
Highest card deals on round one.
For subsequent rounds the deal passes to the player at the left of the last round's first dealer. The two players to the new dealer's right change places. Highest card deals on round one. Player who sat out enters the game, taking the seat of the player whose name appears directly above theirs on the score sheet. This player deals the first hand after the two players to the right change places.