they are shuffled and laid out randomly in this version. You draw the top card of the deck, and may use the variable numbers to squeeze out minor advantages like card-counting, etc.
I am working on an updated version of the game that replaces the numbers with a system of rewarding priority to whoever plays their card the fastest. If you want to try that version, place some object in between the players and a soon as you have selected and played your card you can grab the object and pave it in front of you. You then get all the benefits of having the higher-numbered card for that round. Once both players have drawn, return the object to the center and begin again.