Speed Limit 99 is an easy to learn card game perfect for families to play together that turns mental math into a fun game. It’s has been a hit with our kids as it’s rules are simple, the game is quick, and they can confidently play it together without an adult.
Below you’ll find everything you need to start playing tonight, plus a free printable tracker that helps younger players keep pace with the running total.
How to Play Speed Limit 99
Plays best with 2-6 players, but can play up to 8!
Watch our How to Play Video!
What you need:
One standard deck of playing cards (remove the jokers)
Three tokens per player (coins, buttons, lego bricks etc will do, or keep track on paper
Speed Limit 99 Round Set Up:
To begin each round you’ll do the following:
Shuffle the deck,
Deal three cards face-down to each player
Place the rest of the cards in the center as the draw pile.
Goal of Speed Limit 99:
Keep the combined value of the discard pile at or below 99. If you’re forced to push it over 99, you lose a token and the round ends.
How to Play
Players take turns playing cards into the center and announcing the new total.
On your turn you must:
Play one card from your hand to the discard pile,
Announce the new total out loud,
Draw a new card from the top of the deck.
Every round begins at zero. Each card you play nudges the total up or down except for certain cards with special powers. The card ranks work as thus:
- 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, each add their face value to the total. (A 6 of any suit, adds 6 to the total)
- Ace: Adds either 1 or 11 points to the total. The player chooses when they play it
- 4: reverses play order and adds +0 to the total
- 9: passes your turn and adds +0 to the total
- 10: subtracts -10 from the total
- Jack and Queen: Add 10 to the total.
- King: Makes the total 99. (If the total is already 99, it stays 99)
(Tip: our free printable lists these effects so players don’t have to memorize anything on the spot!)
Ending a Round
If every card in your hand would send the total above 99, you’re busted: lose a token and the round is over. Gather all the cards, reshuffle, an deal three fresh cars to each player for the next round.
Winning the Game
When a player loses their third and final token they’re out. Keep playing new rounds until only one player still has at least one token left. That player is the winner.
Why We Love Speed Limit 99 (and why Teachers do, too!)
Mental math practice: This is an excellent way to encourage kids to practice their mental math. You’ll be adding, subtracting, and strategizing while you play!
Quick Rounds: Each round lasts just a few minutes, perfect for busy family nights and short attention spans.
Easy to Scale: Speed Limit 99 works well as well with two players as it does with seven! Let new players hop in when they see you playing!
Grab the Free Printable Tracker
We’ve made a free printable you can use to make keeping track of the total a little bit easier for players who may prefer a visual reference!
The sheet has:
Numbers 0-99 so players can mark the current total (we use a tiddlywink. they work as counters too!)
A cheat-sheet for every card’s effect for quick reference.
Enter your email in the box below or click here to download your free printable!
Tip for Playing without Player Elimination
If you would prefer to play without player elimination, try this:
Instead of losing tokens and getting knocked out, players earn penalty points each time they bust (go over 99)
How it works:
Set a number of rounds (5 or 10 work well)
Each player starts with 0 points.
Every time you bust, you get +1 point
The player with the fewest points at the end of your set number of rounds wins.
This keeps everyone playing the whole time!
Happy Gaming! May your 10s appear exactly when you need them!
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