In order for a person to declare trump, there must be a marriage for the person to declare trump in.
A player may choose to not bid if they don't have a strong playing hand or don't have a marriage. Bidding is the act of declaring a number that you think you and your partner can make between your melds and the ability to pull points during tricks.
After the cards have been dealt, the player to the left of the dealer begins the bidding.
