How to Play Ninety-Nine (additive trick game)
Welcome — this is a simple, beginner-friendly guide to Ninety-Nine (additive trick game). For more beginner guides like this one, visit Playmore. Read through the short walkthrough and then try a few practice deals with friends.
Quick facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Game name | Ninety-Nine (additive trick game) |
| Players | 3 (typical) |
| Deck / components | 36 cards — a reduced setup made from one normal 52-card deck |
| Family | Global / English-language trick game |
| Beginner focus | Partnership bidding by discard arithmetic; basics only |
What you are trying to do
The main aim is to form a partnership bid using discards, then win tricks to meet that bid or quota. Partners work together by using discard arithmetic to set a target. After bidding, players play tricks. Winning the right number of tricks (or points) helps your partnership succeed.
What you need and how to set up
- A normal 52-card deck reduced to a 36-card setup (make this from one deck; which ranks are removed is version-dependent).
- A table and three players seated so everyone can see the cards played.
- Shuffle the reduced deck well. Deal the cards according to the local version (many deals give each player an equal hand; some use a small kitty).
- Decide who deals first. Partners and exact seating rules can vary by house rule.
- Because local and regional versions differ, check your group's official or regional rules for the exact deal and which ranks to remove.
How to play
- Look at your hand. Figure out what value your cards add up to for the bidding stage. The discard arithmetic method is a core part of the game.
- Bidding by discard: Players (or partners) make a bid by discarding cards in a way that represents a numeric target. The exact discard-to-bid mapping depends on the version you are playing, so agree on that before you start.
- Form partnerships as your rules say. Many versions use two players versus one, or temporary partnerships. Make sure everyone knows which seat is partnered with which before play begins.
- Play tricks: the player who leads plays a card. Other players follow suit if they can, or play a different card if they cannot. The trick is won by the highest card according to the chosen ranking (rank order is version-dependent).
- The winner of a trick usually leads the next trick. Keep winning tricks and try to reach the partnership’s declared target from the bid stage.
- After all tricks are played, compare the tricks or points won to the bid. Scoring, penalties, and bonuses vary by version and are not repeated here.
How a round or game ends
Rounds repeat until a pre-agreed game total, a number of deals, or a quota is met. Exact winning conditions and scoring thresholds differ between versions. Before you play, decide which official or regional rules you’ll follow so everyone knows how a round and full game end.
Beginner tips
- Play a few practice hands to get used to the discard-bid step.
- Watch which cards leave play. Tracking cards helps you guess what remains in opponents’ hands.
- Talk through the bidding phase before you play if players are new. Agree on how discards map to bids.
- Be careful when revealing information. Small signals can give away a partner’s strengths.
- Start by aiming for modest bids until you get the hang of the arithmetic and trick-taking flow.
FAQ
Is the 36-card deck a special pack?
No. It’s a reduced setup made from one standard 52-card deck. Which ranks to remove varies by version, so check the rules your group uses.
How do partnerships work with three players?
Different versions handle partnerships differently. Some use two players as a temporary team against one. Make sure everyone agrees on partnership rules before starting.
Where can I find the exact rules and scoring?
There is an authoritative rule reference and several regional variants. Because bidding and scoring details can vary, check the official or regional rules your group prefers before you play.