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Download on Google Play- Deal 4 cards to each player.
- Set running total to 0.
- Place remaining cards as draw pile.
- Play a card and add its value to the total.
- Draw a card from the pile.
- Special cards: King sets total to 98, 10 adds or subtracts 10.
- Last player standing wins.
- Eliminated players get a strike in multi-round play.
Rules
Ninety-Eight is a simple adding card game where players take turns playing cards that add to a running total. The goal is to avoid pushing the total over 98, as the player who does so is eliminated.
Objective
Avoid being the player who pushes the running card total over 98. Be the last player remaining after all others are eliminated.
Setup
- Players: 2 to 5 players.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Deal: Deal 4 cards to each player. Place the remaining cards face down as the draw pile. The running total starts at 0.
Gameplay
- Step 1: On your turn, play one card from your hand to the discard pile and add its value to the running total.
- Step 2: Number cards (2-9) add their face value. 10s add or subtract 10. Jacks and Queens add 10. Kings set the total to 98. Aces add 1 or 11 (player's choice).
- Step 3: After playing, draw one card from the draw pile to maintain a hand of 4.
- Step 4: If a player cannot play a card without exceeding 98, that player is eliminated. Play continues until one player remains.
Scoring
- The last player remaining wins the round.
- In a multi-round game, each elimination earns a strike. Three strikes and a player is permanently out.
Variations
- Ninety-Nine: The target number is 99 instead of 98, with slightly different special card rules.
- Team Ninety-Eight: Players form pairs and work together to eliminate the opposing team.
Tips and Strategies
- Save your Kings and 10-subtract cards for emergencies when the total is high.
- Use Aces strategically, choosing 1 when the total is high and 11 when it is low.
- Pay attention to the draw pile size and plan for when cards run out.
Tips & Strategy
Hold onto Kings and 10-subtract cards as lifelines for when the total climbs high. Use low-value cards to stall while opponents burn their safe cards.
Resource management is the core of Ninety-Eight. The player who holds the right special cards at the right time will outlast opponents in the end game.
Trivia & Fun Facts
Despite its simple rules, Ninety-Eight can create intense standoffs when the total hovers in the 90s and everyone is holding their breath.
What does a King do to the running total in Ninety-Eight?
History & Culture
Ninety-Eight belongs to a family of adding card games that have been popular in Europe and North America since the 19th century.
Ninety-Eight and its variants like Ninety-Nine are popular pub and family games, enjoyed for their simplicity and the suspense of a climbing total.
Variations & House Rules
Ninety-Nine uses a target of 99 with different special cards. Team Ninety-Eight adds a cooperative element with paired players.
Change the target to a lower number like 50 for a quicker game, or allow players 5 cards in hand for more options.
