# Ninety-Nine

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 1974
- **BGG Rating**: 7.2
- **BGG Rank**: #4303
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 3)
- **Duration**: 60 min
- **Weight**: 2.08 / 5
- **Designers**: David Parlett
- **Publishers**: (Web published), Games and Puzzles (magazine)
- **Categories**: Card Game
- **Mechanics**: Hand Management, Predictive Bid, Trick-taking

## Verdict
Traditional card game lovers craving strategy will adore this: easy to learn but packed with sneaky decisions.Minimal setup (just a deck)Brilliant bidding twistFun math tensionLimited direct interactionBest with 3 playersRECOMMENDED

## Description
Ninety-Nine is a classic trick-taking game with a strategic twist: you must bid how many tricks you'll win, but here's the kicker — your bid cards also set your target! Using a traditional deck (6 through Ace, plus an optional Joker), each player sets aside three cards to bid — their suits determine your trick goal (clubs = +3, hearts = +2, spades = +1, diamonds = 0). Hit the exact number? Bonus points! Want a bigger challenge? Declare your bid cards face-up for open information, or even reveal your entire hand to multiply rewards. While ideal for 3 players, it adapts well for 2 to 5 (with variants). Expect bluffs, quick math, and that delicious tension of almost — but not *quite* — nailing your bid.

## FAQ
### Is the Joker necessary?
Modern versions skip it, but the original Joker acts as an unbeatable trump card.

### Does it work with 2 players?
Yes, but uses a dummy hand — the game shines brightest with 3.

### Can I use a standard deck?
Absolutely! Just remove cards 2 through 5 (or use 6 through Ace as in the original).

### How is this different from the adding Ninety-Nine game?
Completely different games — this is about trick-taking and bids, the other is about summing cards without hitting 99.

### Is it hard to learn?
Not at all! Rules take 5 minutes, but mastering bids takes a few rounds.