The dealer, chosen at random, deals either 12 or 15 cards to each player in clockwise direction.

The dealer, chosen at random, deals 6 cards to each player in clockwise direction.

In certain variations, the card in the player's hand must reach 36 points in valid combinations (hence the name Thirty-Six).

The defining feature of Machiavelli is being able to make changes to the combinations of cards already on the table.

Imagine that there are three triplets on the table: one of Kings (K), one of Queens (Q) and one of Jacks (J) consisting only of hearts, diamonds and clubs.

Now, the player can add their A♣ the straight made of clubs This play is correct because all the new combinations created are valid.

Any invalid cards left on the table will be later incorporated into valid groups by other players.