Each player receives 2×4, i.e. 8 cards. Two parties are formed between the players. Who holds the queens of clubs is not important in this game.
The parties are usually formed as follows: the first, third and fifth players and the second, fourth and sixth players play together.
In the "jostling man" variant, the player who plays the first jack of diamonds forms a party with the alternate queens of clubs. If both queens of clubs are in a player's hand, the third partner is chosen by a previously determined ace. If a player has both queens of clubs and both jacks of diamonds, he can choose two partners by predetermined aces or he can play a silent solo as in Doppelkopf with four players.
