Espositori

From the deal, each player receives five cards, and the dealer places the remaining 4 cards face down on the table in front of him.  These cards are known variously as the grave, the kit or the dead hand. The dealer then turns the top card from the grave face up, exposing it to all players. 

 

The player on the dealer's immediate left has the first opportunity to name trump, but his selection is now limited to the suit of the exposed card on the grave.  If that player wishes trump to be of that suit, he tells the dealer to "pick it up".  The dealer would then discard one of his cards to the grave, and place the exposed card in his hand.  If the player does not wish the suit of the exposed card to be trump he says, "pass".  If he passes the next player, the dealer's partner, has the chance to name trump, but he is still limited to the suit of the exposed card.  If he also passes then the third player is given the same option, as is the dealer if all the other players pass.  If the dealer also wishes to pass on the exposed suit, he simply turns the card back over so it is face down.

 

 

Play is then passed again to the player on the dealer's left, and that player may now select any of the remaining three suits to be trump.  He may also again pass to the dealer's partner who may name trump or pass.  This continues around the table to the dealer until someone names trump.  If it comes back around to the dealer, then the dealer must name trump.  This is commonly called sticking the dealer, although there are several variations on this process.