Overview
In 99 (addition card game), counting is at stake as players play cards to the point total which always starts at 0. By playing cards in a strategic manner, players try to keep their lives without exceeding the number 99.
When a player plays a card that goes over 99, they lose a life and the round is over. If a player loses all the lives, they are eliminated from the game.
The player(s) with the most lives in the end win(s).
Table Setup
Number of Players
This game can be played with 2-12 players in Board Game Arena. Various suggestions on optimal player count are as follows:
Gaming Company | Optimal Player Count |
---|---|
Bicycle Cards | 3-4 |
Board Game Arena | 4 |
Board Game Geek | 4-5 |
Game Mode
This game can be played in two modes:
- Normal Mode: The ELO ranking will be calculated depending on the player count and game results.
- Training Mode: The game is simply played without taking the ELO ranking into account.
Game Speed
This game can be played in two systems, each with various speeds:
- Real-time: Slow / Normal / Fast
- Turn-based: Normal / Fast
Gameplay
At the start of the game, each player receives 3 lives and 3 random cards that form their hand. Meanwhile, the point total is set at 0 and the first player will be established.
Gameplay occurs in rounds, starting with the first player. On their turn, the active player plays a card from their hand and alters the point total based on the card played:
Card Type Played | Effect on Point Total |
---|---|
2 3 5 6 7 8 | Add face value |
A | Add 1 or 11 |
J Q | Add 10 |
4 | Reverse the direction of play (No effect to point total - Add 0) |
9 | No effect (Add 0) |
10 | Subtract 10 |
K | Set the point total at 99 |
After a card is played towards the point total, the active player draws a new card to add to their hand. The next player in clockwise order must play a card that does not put the total over 99 and draw a new one afterwards.
End of the Round and End of the Game
The round ends when a player busts and loses a life for failing to play a card that keeps the total within 99. After which, players receive a new hand of 3 cards for the next round. The point total sets back to 0 and the next round begins with the player who busted in the last round.
Depending on the quick mode, the game could end in two ways:
- Quick Mode Disabled: When a player loses all the lives, that player is eliminated and the game continues. The last player with lives remaining wins.
- Quick Mode Enabled: When a player loses all the lives, that player is eliminated and the game ends. The player(s) with the most lives remaining win(s).