Okay, this is my first OP so go easy on me. Imagine my surprise when Swampy suggested that I explain 99 to all of you. Either I talk about it A LOT, or Swampy has a really good memory. When I post, I don’t think of what I write as being all that memorable.
Come in! Come in! I’m so glad you all could make it! You look GREAT! Rigsy, I just love your curly hair. Wanna trade? The powder room is just there, in hallway near the den. Here, let me take your coats and hang them up.
Help yourself to the goodies there on the island. I’ve set up a little bar over on the other counter.
Okay, everyone, pull up a chair and gather around the table. Does everyone have something to drink and eat? No? Here, let me get you something…what would you like? I’ve got some nice munchies here and there’s plenty of drink. Swampy brought some of his cheese straws, so dig in! Okay? All set? Here we go!
Supplies needed:
A pad
A pen
A basic sense of addition/subtraction even when, um, slightly impaired from alcoholic beverages.
Two decks of cards
Cash
A sense of humor and willingness to have fun
Food and drink
Object of the game:
To get to 99 without going over and WIN!
How to play:
Write down all the players’ names on a sheet of paper. This will be used to keep track of players’ outs.
Shuffle the two decks of cards together (removing jokers), and have the player to your left cut the deck. Each player is dealt three cards. The rest of the cards become a draw pile. We usually play five dollars per person gets you three outs (or rounds). After that you’re out and become the remaining players’ drink bitch. Sometimes, we play only two outs though, because the game can get long if there is a large group of people playing. Our average group consists of 10 to 15 people. If we actually have 15 people, it’s only TWO outs.
All cards are equal to their face value except for the following:
A = 1 or 11 (player’s call)
9 = 99 (always)
8 = Reverse direction
7 = Pass
10 = -10 (minus 10)
The dealer deals the cards and flips the first card from the draw pile over. Let’s pretend it’s a face card which is equal to 10.
Player to dealer’s right puts down another card on top of that face card. Let’s pretend it’s a five of clubs. The face up pile now equals 15. The player who just placed a card down MUST REMEMBER TO DRAW A CARD FROM THE DRAW PILE! If the player doesn’t remember to draw, too bad, so sad, he or she must now play with only two cards. The player must remember to draw before the next player takes his or her turn.
Anyway, play continues around the table until the value of the pile reaches 99 and the next player can’t play. That player now has one strike against him/her. Everyone’s cards are now gathered up, all the cards are shuffled again, and a new round is dealt. Players take turns shuffling and dealing. The person to the right of the original dealer is now the shuffler/dealer for this round. Remember; let the person on the left of the dealer cut the cards before they are dealt again.
So, you’re probably wondering where those special value cards listed above come into play, right? Don’t worry, I’m getting to it.
Well, here’s the deal. They can be played at ANY time, but I would advise you to be savvy about it.
For instance, you can throw down the 9 card instantly making the value of the pile 99. However, you BETTER have something to back you up, like another 9, or an 8, or a 7, or a 10. Why? Well the player who takes a turn after you, may just REVERSE the direction back to you. What are you gonna do if you can’t play after that, huh? That’s right, you’re going OUT. One strike against you now!
The perfect three cards to have in your hand are: 9, 10, and a 7 or 8 card.
The 10 card is a life saver. Let’s say someone just put a card down making the pile equal 99. Well, you’re safe, because you can put the 10 card down and now the pile equals 89. Or, as described above, you can put down an 8 card and reverse the play to the previous player, OR, you can put down the 7 card on the pile, and pass the play to the player after you.
Play continues until there is only one person left and he or she gets to take home the pot o’ money.
The amount of money required to play is just an amount we use. You can use any amount you like per player or, no money at all. We just use the $5.00 because it makes for a decent little pot, but isn’t overly much money.
So, that’s all there is to it folks. A simple little game, even when impaired.
Are you all ready? Does everyone have enough to eat and drink? I can get you something. No, really, it’s no trouble. Besides, as I said earlier, **Swampy ** brought his famous cheese straws, and you have GOT to have them. They’re divine! We’ve got chips and dips, cheese, meat and cracker trays, and meatballs in the crockpot there. Oh, there’s a veggie tray too for those of you watching your waistline. Anyway, eat up, drink up, be merry, and laugh!
