Easy Game Instructions for 99 (Ninety-Nine)

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Play cards without going over 99 in this simple game for all ages

Co-authored by Hunter Rising Reviewed by Ashton Wu

Last Updated: July 9, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Setup
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• Gameplay
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• Winning
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• Video
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• Tips

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If you’re looking for a really easy game to play with your family, 99 is a great choice that only requires simple addition and subtraction skills. Players take turns playing cards from their hands and adding the value to a running total. If someone plays a card that pushes the total over 99, they lose the round. This game is perfect for adults and kids, and we’ll walk you through everything you need to get started. Keep reading to learn how to set this card game up, play through a turn, and win!

Things You Should Know

• Players: 2 or more
• Required materials: Deck of cards (without jokers), 3 tokens per player
• Objective: Play cards from your hand to keep the total value below 99 to avoid losing tokens. Be the last person with tokens to win the game.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Setup

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1. 1
   Give each player 3 tokens. You can use poker chips, pennies, beans, or any other small objects you have lying around for the game. Set 3 tokens in front of each person to keep track of how well they’re doing throughout the game.

   • Variation: If you’re playing with 2 or 3 players, then give each person 5 tokens for a slightly longer game.
2. 2
   Shuffle a deck of cards and deal 3 to each player. Shuffle a deck of cards so they’re thoroughly mixed, and deal out 3 to each player. Set the remaining cards in a face-down draw pile in the middle of the table.

   • Keep the cards you’re dealt secret from other players so they don’t anticipate what you’re about to play.
   • If you’re playing with 4 or more players, shuffle together 2 decks of cards. It doesn’t matter if the decks have different designs.
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Section 2 of 3:

Gameplay

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1. 1
   Play a card to the middle of the table to add to the total count. The player to the left of the dealer takes the first turn. The player chooses 1 card from their hand to play face-up on the table and adds the value of the card to the total count. At the beginning of a round, the count starts at 0. However, some cards have special effects or count as a different value than what’s printed on them. The card values and effects are:

   • Ace: 1 or 11 (the player gets to choose one or the other)
   • 2: 2
   • 3: 3
   • 4: 0, and the player turn order reverses
   • 5: 5
   • 6: 6
   • 7: 7
   • 8: 8
   • 9: 0
   • 10: 10 or -10 (the player chooses one or the other)
   • Jack: 10
   • Queen: 10
   • King: the total immediately jumps to 99 (or stays at 99 if it’s already there)
2. 2
   Announce the new total and draw a card. After placing a card down, the player says the new total count of the cards that have been played so far. Then, they draw 1 more card to their hand from the face-down draw pile.

   • Example: On a later turn, the total value is 99. A player places a 10 down from their hand and chooses to subtract 10 from the total count. They say, “89” out loud and draw a new card.
3. 3
   Continue taking turns until the total count goes over 99. Players start the game taking turns clockwise around the table, but whenever someone plays a 4, the direction reverses to counter-clockwise. When a player plays a card that makes the total count go above 99, then the round immediately ends.

   • Strategy Tip: Try to save 4s, 9s, 10s, and kings in your hand, especially if the count is close to 99. These cards either keep the total the same or reduce the total so you’re less likely to go over.
   • Strategy Tip: Try to raise the total to 99 early on in the round to catch other players off guard and force them to lose a round.
   • If the draw pile runs out of cards, shuffle the discard pile to make a new draw pile. The total count remains the same.
4. 4
   Lose a token for playing a card that makes the count higher than 99. Whenever a player puts down a card that makes the total count go over 99, they lose the round and lose one of their tokens. Place the token in the middle of the table.

   • If a player loses their last token during a later round, then they are eliminated from the game.
5. 5
   Start a new round after the total goes over 99. Collect all of the cards and shuffle them into a new draw pile. Deal out 3 cards to any player that still has tokens in front of them to start the next round.
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Section 3 of 3:

Winning

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1. Win the game by being the last player with tokens. Continue playing rounds until only a single player has tokens left in front of them. That player wins the whole game!

   • Variation: If you’re playing with pennies or coins, the last remaining player also wins all of the tokens that other players lost.

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Tips

• If you’re looking for instructions on the 3-player trick-taking card game also called 99, find the complete rules here.
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