Players sitting opposite each other are partners. Who will be partners is determined by mutual agreement or by drawing dominos. When drawing, the dominos are shuffled and each player draws a domino. The player who draws the highest domino will be the scorekeeper, and the next highest domino holder will be his partner. The two lowest domino holders will be the opposition partners.
Partners sit opposite each other at the table.
All 28 dominos are shuffled face-down. The scorekeeper shuffles the dominos to start the game. If multiple games are played at one sitting, and the same partners are retained, then either of the previous winning player partners shuffle to begin a new game. The player to the left of the shuffler begins the bidding. If all players pass, then the shuffler must take the bid for at least 30 points.