Mastering 99: A Comprehensive Guide to Winning the Addictive Card Game

99 is a deceptively simple card game that can become incredibly addictive. Requiring strategic thinking, a bit of luck, and an awareness of your opponents’ moves, 99 is a game suitable for players of all ages. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to master 99, from the basic rules to advanced strategies.

## What is 99?

99 is a card game where players take turns adding card values to a running total, trying to avoid being the one to push the total over 99. Certain cards have special actions, adding an extra layer of complexity and strategy to the game.

## What You’ll Need

* **A Standard Deck of 52 Cards:** Jokers are not used in 99.
* **2-6 Players:** The game is best with 3-4 players, but it can be adapted for 2 or up to 6 players.
* **Paper and Pen (or a whiteboard):** For keeping score.

## Basic Rules of 99

1. **Dealing:**
* The dealer shuffles the deck and deals three cards to each player.
* The remaining cards are placed face down in the center of the table to form the draw pile.
* The top card from the draw pile is turned face up and placed next to it to start the discard pile. If this first card is a special card (listed below), discard it back into the deck, reshuffle and draw another.
2. **Gameplay:**
* The player to the dealer’s left goes first.
* On their turn, a player must play one card from their hand onto the discard pile.
* The value of the played card is added to a running total, which starts at zero.
* After playing a card, the player draws a new card from the draw pile to replenish their hand to three cards. If the draw pile is empty, the discard pile is shuffled and becomes the new draw pile (except for the top card, which remains as the current discard).
* The goal is to avoid being the player who causes the running total to exceed 99.
3. **Special Cards:**
* **4:** Resets the count to 0.
* **9:** Reverses the order of play.
* **10:** Subtracts 10 from the current total.
* **Jack:** Skips the next player.
* **Queen:** Adds 10 to the current total.
* **King:** Sets the count to 99 (effectively forcing the next player to go over).
* **Ace:** Counts as either 1 or 11, as decided by the player playing the card.
* **All Other Cards (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8):** Count at face value.
4. **Losing a Round:**
* If a player plays a card that causes the running total to exceed 99, they lose the round.
* The losing player receives a penalty point.
* The running total resets to zero for the next round.
5. **Winning the Game:**
* The game continues until one player reaches a predetermined number of penalty points (usually 3 or 5). That player is declared the loser, and the player with the fewest penalty points is the winner.

## Detailed Instructions: A Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s break down the gameplay into a more detailed step-by-step guide.

**1. Setting Up the Game:**

* **Gather your players:** Decide how many players will participate. Remember that 3-4 players usually provide the best balance of strategy and interaction.
* **Choose a dealer:** Rotate the dealer position after each round to ensure fairness.
* **Shuffle the deck:** Thoroughly shuffle the deck of 52 cards to randomize the order.
* **Deal the cards:** The dealer deals three cards face down to each player, starting with the player to their left and proceeding clockwise.
* **Create the draw pile:** Place the remaining cards face down in the center of the table to form the draw pile.
* **Start the discard pile:** Turn the top card from the draw pile face up and place it next to the draw pile to begin the discard pile. If the card is a special card(4, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace) return it to the deck, reshuffle and draw another card to start the discard pile. This ensures the first player isn’t immediately put at a disadvantage by a powerful card.
* **Set the initial total:** The running total begins at zero. Designate someone to keep track of the running total, either with pen and paper or a whiteboard.
* **Determine the losing condition:** Decide on the number of penalty points required to lose the game (e.g., 3 or 5 points).

**2. Playing a Turn:**

* **Player’s turn:** The player to the dealer’s left begins the game, and play proceeds clockwise.
* **Play a card:** On their turn, the player must choose one card from their hand and play it face up onto the discard pile. They announce the card they are playing and its value or effect.
* **Calculate the new total:** The player announces the current running total after adding the value of their card. This is crucial for everyone to track the game accurately.
* **Example:** If the current total is 50 and a player plays a 5, they would announce “50 plus 5 equals 55,” and the new running total becomes 55.
* **Apply Special Card Effects:**
* **4:** If a player plays a 4, the current total is immediately reset to 0. The player announces, “Four, resets to zero!”
* **9:** If a player plays a 9, the direction of play reverses. If the play was going clockwise, it now goes counter-clockwise, and vice versa. The player announces, “Nine, reverse direction!”
* **10:** If a player plays a 10, 10 is subtracted from the current total. Be mindful of the total; if it’s less than 10, the subtraction can result in a negative number. The player announces, “Ten, subtract ten!”
* **Jack:** If a player plays a Jack, the next player is skipped. The player announces, “Jack, skip [next player’s name]!”
* **Queen:** If a player plays a Queen, 10 is added to the current total. The player announces, “Queen, add ten!”
* **King:** If a player plays a King, the total is immediately set to 99. This puts significant pressure on the next player. The player announces, “King, sets to 99!”
* **Ace:** If a player plays an Ace, they must declare whether it counts as 1 or 11. This is a strategic decision based on the current total and the cards in their hand. The player announces, “Ace, counting as one/eleven!”
* **Draw a card:** After playing a card and announcing the new total, the player draws one card from the draw pile to replenish their hand back to three cards. If the draw pile is empty, the discard pile is shuffled (except for the top card) to create a new draw pile.

**3. Handling an Empty Draw Pile:**

* **When the draw pile runs out:** When the draw pile is exhausted, carefully pick up the discard pile (excluding the top card that was last played). Shuffle these discarded cards thoroughly to create a new draw pile. Leave the top card of the original discard pile where it is – it remains the top card of the new discard pile and its value continues to contribute to the running total. This ensures continuity in the game’s progress.

**4. Losing a Round:**

* **Going over 99:** If a player plays a card that causes the running total to exceed 99, they lose the round. This is the core objective to avoid.
* **Penalty point:** The losing player receives a penalty point. Mark this down on the score sheet.
* **Reset the total:** The running total is reset to zero, and a new round begins.
* **New dealer:** The role of the dealer typically rotates to the player on the left of the previous dealer.
* **Shuffle and deal:** The new dealer shuffles the deck and deals three cards to each player, and the process repeats.

**5. Winning the Game:**

* **Reaching the losing threshold:** The game continues until one player accumulates a predetermined number of penalty points (e.g., 3 or 5).
* **Determining the winner:** The player who reaches the losing threshold *loses* the game. The player with the *fewest* penalty points at that time is declared the winner.

## Advanced Strategies for 99

While the basic rules are straightforward, mastering 99 requires strategic thinking and anticipation. Here are some advanced strategies to help you improve your game:

**1. Card Counting and Memory:**

* **Track played cards:** Pay attention to the cards that have already been played, especially special cards like 4s, 9s, 10s, Kings, and Aces. Knowing which special cards are out of play can inform your decisions about when to use your own.
* **Remember high-value cards:** Keep track of the higher-value cards (7s, 8s, Queens) that have been played. This helps you estimate the remaining distribution of high-value cards and adjust your strategy accordingly.

**2. Hand Management:**

* **Prioritize special cards:** Hold onto special cards like 4s, 9s, and Kings strategically. These cards can be game-changers and should be used at opportune moments to disrupt your opponents or protect yourself.
* **Balance high and low cards:** Aim to maintain a balance of high and low cards in your hand. This gives you flexibility to react to different situations and avoid being forced to play a card that will cause you to lose.
* **Consider the discard pile:** Pay attention to the top card of the discard pile. This gives you insight into what your opponents might be trying to achieve and helps you anticipate their next move.

**3. Strategic Card Play:**

* **Use 4s wisely:** The 4, which resets the count to zero, is one of the most powerful cards. Use it to negate a high total or when you are in danger of going over 99.
* **Time your 9s carefully:** The 9, which reverses the order of play, can be used to your advantage when the player to your left is in a vulnerable position.
* **Employ 10s to create discomfort:** The 10 can be used to subtract and sometimes force someone into an awkward position, potentially setting them up for a loss.
* **Kings for pressure:** The King, which sets the count to 99, puts immense pressure on the next player. Use it when you think they have limited options or are likely to have high-value cards.
* **Aces for flexibility:** Use Aces strategically, declaring them as 1 or 11 based on the current total and the cards in your hand. If the total is high, using the Ace as 1 might be a safe play. If the total is low, using it as 11 can help you control the game.

**4. Bluffing and Deception:**

* **Mislead your opponents:** Try to mislead your opponents about the cards in your hand. For example, you might hesitate before playing a low-value card, making them think you have a high-value card.
* **Observe player tendencies:** Pay attention to your opponents’ playing styles. Do they tend to play conservatively or aggressively? Are they prone to bluffing? Use this information to your advantage.

**5. Understanding Probabilities:**

* **Calculate odds:** As you gain experience, you’ll start to develop an intuitive sense of the probabilities of drawing certain cards. This can help you make more informed decisions about when to play certain cards and when to hold back.
* **Adjust for player count:** The number of players affects the probabilities. In a two-player game, you’ll see more cards more frequently than in a six-player game.

**6. Adapting to Game Dynamics:**

* **Early game:** In the early stages, focus on building a balanced hand and observing your opponents’ playing styles.
* **Mid-game:** In the middle stages, start to implement your strategies based on the information you’ve gathered. Use your special cards wisely and try to anticipate your opponents’ moves.
* **End-game:** In the late stages, the pressure intensifies. Be prepared to make quick decisions and take calculated risks.

## Tips for Beginners

* **Start with the basics:** Focus on understanding the basic rules and special card actions before trying to implement advanced strategies.
* **Practice makes perfect:** The more you play, the better you’ll become at recognizing patterns, anticipating your opponents’ moves, and making strategic decisions.
* **Don’t be afraid to experiment:** Try different strategies and see what works best for you.
* **Learn from your mistakes:** Analyze your losses and identify areas where you can improve.
* **Have fun!** 99 is a game that’s meant to be enjoyed. Don’t take it too seriously and remember to have fun with your friends and family.

## Variations of 99

While the standard rules are widely accepted, some variations of 99 exist:

* **No draw after King:** In some versions, a player does not draw a card after playing a King.
* **Different penalty system:** Instead of penalty points, some versions use a ‘life’ system, where players lose a life each time they go over 99.
* **Varied special card effects:** Some house rules modify the effects of special cards, adding even more unpredictability.

## Conclusion

99 is a captivating card game that blends simple rules with strategic depth. By mastering the basic rules, understanding the nuances of special cards, and implementing advanced strategies, you can significantly improve your chances of winning. So gather your friends and family, deal the cards, and get ready for an exciting game of 99! Remember to adapt your strategy, observe your opponents, and, most importantly, have fun!