The rest of the deck is then placed face down in the middle of the players this is referred to as the draw pile, or if you're familiar with similar card games, it may be referred to as the stock. For the first 4 hands each player is dealt 10 cards, on the fifth hand each player is dealt 11 cards and on the last hand each player is dealt 14 cards. One person begins as dealer for the first hand, and then the person to the dealer's left becomes dealer for the next hand, and so on. Each game is based on six hands, and the rules for each hand are unique. The number of decks varies from 2 to 4, and is based on the number of players (see chart).

Aces can be high (above a King) or low (below a 2), and Jokers are wild. Zioncheck is played with multiple decks of 54 standard playing cards, including the Joker (playing card) Wilds.

Hoyle's book of common card games describes several games as being based upon it, and Contract Rummy is believed to have originated from it.

It is similar to shanghai rummy, contract rummy, or phase 10.

Shanghai rummy card game sequence