The “Ninety-Nine” game is a card game that requires planning and careful tracking of the total score. It uses a standard deck of cards (52 cards), and two or more decks can be used if there are many participants.
Objective of the Game
The main objective of the game is to manage the played cards so that their total value reaches exactly 33, 66, or 99, while being careful not to exceed these specific values when playing a new card.
Game Setup
Before starting, each player is given an agreed-upon number of points (usually 10 points, or any other number). These points represent the player’s “lives,” and any player who loses all their points is immediately eliminated from the game.
At the beginning of each round, three cards are dealt to each participating player.
The value of the played cards starts at zero.
Gameplay Mechanics
When it’s a player’s turn, they choose one card from the three they are holding and place it face-up on the table.
The player announces the new total value of the cards after adding the value of their played card.
Immediately after, the player draws a new card from the draw pile, always maintaining three cards in their hand. This process happens automatically.
The turn then passes to the next player according to the established direction of play.
Scoring, Winning, and Losing Rules
Reaching Exactly 33 or 66: If the card played by the player brings the pile’s total to exactly 33 or 66, all other players (except the one who played the card) lose one point. If a player’s points reach 0 as a result, they are immediately eliminated.
Reaching Exactly 99: If the played card brings the total to exactly 99, the player who played it wins the current round. Consequently, all other players lose two points. The round concludes, and a new round begins.
Exceeding 33 or 66: If the played card causes the total to exceed 33 (but not reach 66), or exceed 66 (but not reach 99), only the player who played the card loses one point. For example, if the total is 29 and a player plays a 7 card, the total becomes 36, exceeding the 33 limit, thus the player loses a point. If they have no points left, they are immediately eliminated.
Exceeding 99: If the played card causes the total to exceed 99, the player who played it loses the round and also loses two points. Then, a new round begins.
The player’s goal, therefore, is to try to reach the target values (33, 66, 99) precisely, while simultaneously trying to force opponents to exceed these values.
Values of the Cards Used
Cards from 3 to 8: Count as their face value.
The 9 card: Has a value of zero (0) and does not affect the total.
Face cards (Jack J, Queen Q, King K): Always have a fixed value of +10 points.
The 10 card: The player can choose to count it as +10 or -10 when played.
The Ace (A) card: The player can choose to count it as +1 or +11 when played.
The 2 card: Has a special rule:
If the current card total is an even number and greater than 49, playing the 2 card divides the total by two.
In all other cases (if the total is odd, or even and equal to or less than 49), playing the 2 card doubles the current total.
Special Effects of Some Cards
Jack (J): When a Jack card is played, the next player’s turn is skipped. However, if playing with only two players, playing a Jack gives the same player another turn.
The 4 card: Playing this card reverses the current direction of play. If play is clockwise, it becomes counter-clockwise, and continues that way until another 4 card is played. If playing with only two players, this card has no effect.
Game Gestures
Gesture
Number of Fingers Used
Function
Swipe Up
Three (3) for iOS / Two (2) for Android
Announce Current Turn
Swipe Left
Three (3) for iOS / Two (2) for Android
Announce Current Card Total
Important Notes
Due to the ability to use the 10 card to decrease the total and the 2 card to divide it, it's possible to reach and exceed the 33 and 66 thresholds multiple times during a single round. It should be noted that losing points only occurs when exceeding these limits in an upward direction (i.e., when increasing the total). For example, if the total is 56 and a 2 card is played making it 28, no player loses a point for going below the 33 threshold. Similarly, if the total is 76 and a 10 card is played (as -10) making the total 66, no one loses a point because 66 was reached from a higher value, not a lower one.
Playing the 2 card might cause exceeding both the 66 and 99 thresholds simultaneously, due to its ability to double the total. For example, if the total is 53 and a 2 card is played, the total will become 106. In this exceptional case, the player who played the card loses the round and consequently loses three points (one point for exceeding 66 and two points for exceeding 99).