Ninety-Nine: Strategy, Winning & Getting Started Instructions

Introduction

Ninety-Nine is a trick-taking card game, believed to have originated in the 18th century, and is played with a standard deck of 52 cards with three players. The objective? To bid and win tricks, aiming to reach a total of 99 points.

The overall goal of Ninety-Nine is to bid on and win tricks, essentially rounds of the game, with the ultimate aim of accumulating a total of 99 points. What makes this game particularly interesting is that players do not know their opponents’ bids, adding an element of unpredictability and excitement to the gameplay.

At the beginning of each round, players make a bid which is a prediction on the number of tricks they think they can win. The sum of tricks bid by all players must not exceed the total number of tricks available in that round. The player who wins the trick then leads the next round.

As the game progresses, I find it often makes a difference to manage cards and strategies, especially avoiding the dreaded overbid, or underbid and miss out on potential points. In addition to this, the element of bluffing adds another layer of strategic depth to Ninety-Nine. Players can purposefully mislead their opponents about their intended bids, causing them to miscalculate and potentially lose out on points.

The game continues until a player reaches the target score of 99 points, at which point they are declared the winner. However, if more than one player reaches this score in the same round, the player with the highest total over 99 wins (it’s happened in our games a few time, to much exasperation!). This means that even in the final stages of the game, you should keep alert and strategic. All that makes Ninety-Nine an engaging game once you wrap your head around the scoring system and trick-taking.

Rules for playing Ninety-Nine

1. Each player receives twelve cards, and the rest of the deck is set aside.
2. Players bid in turn, starting with the player to the dealer’s left.
3. The highest bidder leads the first trick.
4. Players must follow suit if possible. If not, they can play any card.
5. The player who played the highest card of the suit led wins the trick and leads the next one.
6. Points are scored at the end of each round, with each trick won worth its face value in points.

House rules can vary, so it’s always a good idea to clarify the rules before you start playing.

The Deal

The dealer shuffles the deck and deals twelve cards to each player, three at a time. The remaining cards are set aside and not used in the round.

How to Play Ninety-Nine

Setup

Players sit in a circle, and the dealer is chosen at random. The dealer shuffles the deck and deals twelve cards to each player.

Gameplay

1. Starting with the player to the dealer’s left, each player bids on how many points they think they can win in the round.
2. The player who bids the highest leads the first trick.
3. Play continues clockwise, with each player trying to win tricks and score points.

End of the Game and Scoring

The game ends when all tricks have been played. Players then add up the points they won in the tricks. The player with the highest total wins the game.

How to Win at Ninety-Nine

Winning at Ninety-Nine requires a good balance of strategy, observation, and a bit of luck. Here are some tips:

1. Pay attention to the cards played by other players. This can give you clues about their hands and their bidding strategies.
2. Try to keep a balanced hand. Having a variety of suits can give you more flexibility in play.
3. Don’t be afraid to bid high if you have a strong hand. But remember, overbidding can be risky!

Best Strategies for playing Ninety-Nine

Here are some strategies that can help you win at Ninety-Nine:

• Try to control the game by winning the bid and leading the first trick.

• Use your high cards wisely. They can help you win tricks, but they can also be used to force other players to play their high cards.

Remember, the goal is to score 99 points. So, focus on winning tricks with high point values. Some extra strategies you can consider, too:

1. Know the Cards: Familiarize yourself with the value of each card. Remember that cards 2-10 are worth their face value, while Kings, Queens, Jacks, and Aces have special functions.

2. Keep an Eye on the Total: Always keep track of the total score. This will help you plan your moves, especially when the score is getting close to 99. You don’t want to be the one to exceed 99 and lose the game.

3. Save Your Special Cards: Special cards like Kings, Queens, Jacks, and Aces can drastically change the game dynamics. Try to save these for later in the game when the total score is high.

4. Use Your Aces Wisely: An Ace in Ninety-Nine can make the current total either 1 or 11. Use your Aces when the total is close to 99 to keep the game going and avoid losing.

5. Watch Your Opponents: Keep an eye on your opponents’ reactions and what cards they are playing. This can give you an idea of what cards they might have left.

6. Avoid High Value Cards: If the game’s total is near 99, avoid playing high-value cards which could potentially take the total over 99 and make you lose the game.

7. Be Unpredictable: Try to be as unpredictable as possible. If your opponents can guess your next move, they might use it against you.

8. Use Your Kings: The King card reduces the total to 99 no matter what the current score is. So, if you’re stuck with a high-value card and the score is close to 99, you can play your King to save yourself.

9. Know When to Pass: If you have a 10 and the score is at 89, it might be a good idea to pass. This way, you avoid going over 99 and give your opponents a chance to do so instead.

10. Practice: Like any other game, the more you play, the better you’ll get. Practice will help you understand the game dynamics better and allow you to come up with your own strategies.

Remember, while winning is fun, the main goal of playing Ninety-Nine should be to have fun with your friends. So, enjoy the game and may the best strategist win!

Game Variations

There are several variations of Ninety-Nine, including:

1. Double Ninety-Nine: This is played with two decks of cards and six players.
2. Ninety-Nine Solitaire: This is a single-player version of the game.

Scenarios for Ninety-Nine

Here are some common scenarios you might encounter when playing Ninety-Nine:

1. You have a hand full of low cards: In this case, it might be best to bid low and try to avoid winning tricks.
2. You have a hand full of high cards: This could be a good opportunity to bid high and try to win lots of points.

Frequently Asked Questions about playing Ninety-Nine

Q: What happens if two players tie for the highest bid?
A: The player who bid first wins the bid.

Q: Can I bid zero?
A: Yes, you can bid zero if you think you won’t win any tricks.

Q: What happens if I win more tricks than I bid?
A: You only score points for the tricks you bid. Any extra tricks are not counted.

External Links

For more information about the history and variations of Ninety-Nine, check out this Wikipedia article.