ninety nine

Ninety-Nine: Tactical Card Game

The “Ninety-Nine” game is a card game that requires planning and careful tracking of the total score.
It uses a standard deck of 52 cards. The main objective is to manage the played cards so that their total value reaches exactly 33, 66, or 99, while being careful not to exceed these limits.

Game Setup

  • Lives: Each player starts with a set number of points (usually 10). These are your “lives”. Losing all points eliminates you.
  • Hand: At the start, 3 cards are dealt to each player.
  • Starting Value: The pile count starts at zero.

Gameplay Mechanics

  1. Play: Choose one card from your hand and place it face-up.
  2. Calculate: Announce the new total value (Previous Total + Your Card).
  3. Draw: Automatically draw a new card to maintain 3 cards in hand.
  4. Turn: Play passes to the next player.

Scoring & Rules (The Critical Part)

  • Reaching Exactly 33 or 66: All other players lose 1 point.
  • Reaching Exactly 99: You WIN the round. All other players lose 2 points.
  • Exceeding 33 or 66: You lose 1 point. (e.g., going from 29 to 36).
  • Exceeding 99: You lose the round AND 2 points.

Note: Losing points only happens when exceeding limits upwards. Going down (using minus cards) below a limit is safe.

Card Values

  • Cards 3 to 8: Face value (add to total).
  • 9 Card: Value is 0 (Pass turn without changing total).
  • Face Cards (J, Q, K): Always +10 points.
  • 10 Card: Choose to make it +10 OR -10.
  • Ace (A): Choose to make it +1 OR +11.

Special Cards

  • The 2 Card (The Wild One):
    • If Total is EVEN and > 49: Divides total by 2.
    • Otherwise (Odd or <= 49): Doubles the total.
    • Warning: If doubling causes you to exceed 99, you lose 3 points immediately!
  • Jack (J): Skips the next player’s turn. (In 1vs1, you play again).
  • The 4 Card: Reverses the direction of play.

Controls & Shortcuts

Function PC (Windows) Mobile (Gestures)
Announce Turn Press T Swipe Up (2 fingers Android / 3 iOS)
Announce Total Press C Swipe Left (2 fingers Android / 3 iOS)
Navigation Arrow Keys Swipe Left/Right
Play Card Press Enter Double Tap