Ninety-nine is an unusual bidding / trick-taking card game for 3 players invented in 1968 by David Partlett.

It has a number of unique points, not least of which is its rarity as a game designed from the outset for 3 players, but in particular, because cards are discarded to make a bid, the bidding process itself can totally change the shape of a hand. Like most good games, the rules are quickly learnt, but the play has depth. The similarities and differences to the rest of the whist family make ninety-nine a popular choice both for a change of pace after an evening of bridge when one person has gone home, or to play in its own right when the fourth person hasn't turned up.

Play

Ninety-nine is played with a short pack of 36 cards (discard 2s, 3s, 4s and 5s) plus 1 joker.

Deal normally, 12 cards to each player, turning the last card for trumps¹. The Joker represents this card during bidding and play for the rest of the deal. If the Joker or a nine is turned, the round is played with no trumps.

Starting with eldest hand, each player makes a guesstimate of the number of tricks they will take, discarding 3 cards face down to represent their bid. The discarded cards have values as follows: diamonds 0, spades 1, hearts 2, and clubs 3. So 3 discarded clubs represent the maximum 9 tricks for the hand (there being 9 cards left after the bid is discarded), and 3 discarded diamonds an intention to take 0. Unlike bridge, the bid is exact; overtricks are not allowed.
Following the discard of the bids, each player in turn beginning with eldest may offer to play 'declared', with their bid turned face up, for an extra 30 points if they make their contract , or 'revealed', with their bid and hand turned face up, for an extra 60 points. An offer to play 'revealed'; beats an offer to play declared. A player playing revealed may nominate any player to lead to the first trick, and need only reveal their hand when they play their first card. The bid, whether declared or revealed, is always shown prior to the first card being led.

Trick-taking proceeds normally, beginning with eldest hand, or the player nominated by the revealing player. Ace is high, players must follow suit if possible, and may trump or discard otherwise. Score 1 for each trick taken, 30 bonus points for being the only player to take exactly the number of tricks bid, 20 points each for being one of two players to take the number bid, and 10 points each if all players bid correctly.

In any given round, a player may score a maximum of 99 points (only person to make their contract for 30 points, bid and made 9 tricks for 9 points, played revealed for 60 points), hence the name of the game. Play for 9 rounds²; player with the highest overall score wins.

Further reading

• The Penguin Encyclopaedia of Card Games, David Partlett. Penguin, 2000. ISBN 0140280324.
• 99 and 99 variants on John McLeod's card games web site