99 Card Game

99 is a fast, tense counting game for two to four players. Everyone adds a card to a shared running total — and the first player who cannot keep it at 99 or under loses a life. Special cards reverse play, skip, subtract ten or jump the total straight to 99.

How to play 99 Card Game

• Each player gets three cards and three lives. The running total starts at 0.
• On your turn play one card, add its value to the total and say the new total, then draw a card from the stock so you hold three again.
• Card values: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 count their number. Jacks and Queens count 10. Aces count 1 or 11 — your choice.
• Special cards: a 4 reverses the direction of play and adds nothing; a 9 is a pass and adds nothing; a 10 takes 10 off the total; a King sets the total to exactly 99.
• The total may never go above 99. If you have no card that keeps it at 99 or under, you lose a life and a new hand is dealt.
• Players with no lives left are out. The last player still in wins — if you run out of lives, the game is over.

Controls

• Tap a card in your hand to play it. Cards that would go past 99 are dimmed.
• When you play an Ace that could count either way, choose 1 or 11 from the buttons below your hand.
• Use Opponents and Computer in the toolbar to set up the table, and Speed to change how fast the computer plays.

Tips

• Hold on to your specials (4, 9, 10 and King). Once the total is in the 90s they are the only cards that save you.
• Play your high number cards early, while there is still room for them.
• A King is a strong attack: jumping to 99 forces the next player to have a special card or lose a life.
• Count the specials that have already been played — late in the stock, the next player may be out of escapes.

FAQ

What are the rules of the 99 card game?

Players take turns adding one card to a running total and drawing a replacement. A 4 reverses play, a 9 passes, a 10 subtracts 10 and a King makes the total 99. Anyone who cannot play without going over 99 loses a life; the last player with lives wins.

How do you play the card game 99 with 2 players?

The rules are the same. With two players a reverse simply hands the turn straight back to your opponent, which makes every special card count.

What does a King do in 99?

A King sets the running total to exactly 99, no matter what it was. The next player must then play a 4, 9 or 10 — or lose a life.

Are there other versions of 99?

Yes, families use many house rules, such as 3s that hold the total or Jacks worth zero. Our version uses the common rules: 4 reverse, 9 pass, 10 minus ten, King to 99, Ace 1 or 11.