Five handed, picker calls ace for partner, doubler if no one picks, no cracks or recracks. When growing up in the 1950s-1970s on the South side of Milwaukee at family get togethers the uncles all played after dinner while the aunts cleaned the kitchen. As a little kid, I could sit at the table and look at the cards to be picked. My uncles were very sharp players, they counted points and trump cards left in the players hands. If there were more than five players, the dealer sat out the hand he dealt. I come from a 100% Polish background and it was the card game of choice. I can't get enough players together at one time anymore to play. I don't care to play four or even three handed. That is just way too cut throat for my tastes.