Ninety-Nine (2 player card game)

Objective: The objective of Ninety-Nine is to be the last player remaining in the game by avoiding reaching or exceeding a total score of 99.

Adaptation for 2 Players: Ninety-Nine is typically played with more than 2 players, but it can be adapted for 2 players by modifying the rules and gameplay to create a competitive head-to-head experience.

Setup:

1. Use a standard deck of 52 playing cards.
2. Remove all face cards (Kings, Queens, Jacks) from the deck, leaving only the numbered cards (Ace through 10).
3. Shuffle the deck thoroughly and deal each player 5 cards face-down. These cards will form each player’s hand.
4. Place the remaining deck face-down in the center of the table as the draw pile.

Scoring:

• In Ninety-Nine, players start with a score of 0 and try to avoid reaching or exceeding a total score of 99.
• Each numbered card has a value equal to its face value (e.g., 2 is worth 2 points, 7 is worth 7 points).
• Aces are worth 1 point.
• The player who reaches or exceeds a total score of 99 loses the game.

Gameplay:

1. Starting the Game:
   • Decide who goes first. Player 1 can be determined randomly.
   • Player 1 starts the game by drawing the top card from the draw pile and placing it face-up on the table.
2. Taking Turns:
   • Players take turns clockwise.
   • On their turn, a player must play one card from their hand onto the face-up pile in the center of the table.
   • The card played must either increase the total value of the face-up pile by the value of the card played or decrease it by 10. For example, if the current total is 20, a player can play a card with a value of 3 to make it 23, or they can play a card with a value of 10 to make it 10.
   • If a player cannot play a card without exceeding 99, they are eliminated from the game.
3. Drawing Cards:
   • After playing a card, the player draws a new card from the draw pile to replenish their hand back to 5 cards.
4. Special Rules:
   • If a player plays a 9, they must state “reset” and the total value of the face-up pile resets to 0.
   • If a player plays a 10, they must state “subtract 10” and subtract 10 from the total value of the face-up pile.
5. Winning the Game:
   • The game continues until one player reaches or exceeds a total score of 99.
   • The player who reaches or exceeds 99 loses the game, and the other player wins.

Differentiating Turns:

• Player 1’s Turn: Player 1 starts the game and takes the first turn.
• Player 2’s Turn: Player 2 follows Player 1’s lead and takes their turn after Player 1 has completed their turn.

Summary: Ninety-Nine, adapted for 2 players, provides an engaging and strategic 2 player card game experience. By modifying the rules and gameplay, Ninety-Nine becomes a thrilling duel where players must carefully manage their cards and total score to outlast their opponent and avoid reaching 99 points.