Before dealing starts every player antes the basic stake, usually 20 cents, to the middle of the table.

The dealer shuffles the pack, gives it to the player on the left to be cut and then deals 4 cards each in batches of 2, beginning with forehand to the right.

After dealing the first batch, the dealer turns the next card and places it in the middle face up to determine the trump suit.

Each active player (i.e. those who announced "chratze" or "metcho") may now exchange cards with the remaining stock.

A player laying down all 4 cards gets 5 in return, but subsequently has to discard one to have a hand of 4 before the game starts.

The pot is usually filled by the ante (usually 20 cents per person) made before the cards are dealt.

In addition, any player who fails to make the required number of tricks must pay a penalty to the pot as follows: The current stake is distributed to the winner(s) of the current game before the penalties are paid in for the next game.

In this game the term 'blind' refers to the fact that a dealer (and only the dealer) may announce a Chratze without knowing his or her hand cards and the trump suit (double blind) or without knowing just the hand cards (blind).

Playing a single blind makes some sense, for example if the trump upcard is an Ace, which assures the dealer of at least 1 certain trick.

The "Susi" rule is designed to prevent the Chratzer winning the pot without playing a single card when no-one else bids.

If the last person asked does not challenge the Chratzer and the pot is lost without a fight, the others may tease this player by calling him or her e.g. "Susi" for the rest of the evening.