The pitcher leads to the first trick, and the suit of the card led becomes trumps. The pitcher's partner may then pick up his or her cards. In addition, the offending team loses 19 points from their score. In addition, the offending team is penalised 52 points. This section is based on a contribution from Ian Morgan, who plays in the Abercarn Crib and Don League.
Partners sit opposite each other.
One player from each partnership draws a card and the higher card wins, with Ace counting high. The person to the right of the player with the pitch is the first dealer. The dealer shuffles, and customarily offers the cards to the player on his right for cutting. The dealer then deals 9 cards to each player, one at a time. Subsequently the turn to deal rotates clockwise after each hand and the pitcher is the player to dealer's left.