Since the beginning of the pandemic stay-at-home restrictions, we as a family (like many others) have returned to the old-fashioned pastime of playing games. Play Nine has become our obsession (dare I say, addiction!) and I wanted to share it with you in case you haven't heard of it. We have been gathering at the table every night to see who will have the best score and it has become such a competition that we are now keeping a tally.
Don't worry if you do not play or like golf, it is not really relevant to the game itself other than the names and theme. Two to six players are dealt 8 cards face down from the 108 total. Each card has a 'stroke' value range from 0 to 12, with 8 of each. There are also hole-in-one cards valued at -5 strokes. Those ones really help bring down your score!
Players turn over two cards and then take turns choosing a new card or one from the discard pile trying to match sets of cards. It sounds a little confusing but it only takes a hand or two to get the hang of it. I swear to you, it is so much fun! I am not much of a game player (choosing as some moms, to watch from the sidelines) but I cannot get enough of Play Nine. We are now even playing over lunch as some of the family are working from home.
Even though this is basically a simple matching game, there are plenty of strategic plays available to help lower your score. The more you play, the better you become at finding those ways to shave off strokes! It is highly satisfying to aim for a perfect hand or, to catch your opponents with a 'mitt-full'! Just like a real game of golf, sometimes you want to just throw your club into the water hazard!!!
I truly share my favourite items on this blog so if you like games, you can trust me on this one. My kids have been spreading the love of this game across the province, and now partner's families and extended families have their own Play Nine box at home. We have even had virtual game challenges over facetime and zoom!!! It is just that fun!
You can use my Amazon affiliate link* to the right of this post if you'd like to pick up your own copy of Play Nine. It is some of the most fun you'll have for under $20 bucks, I assure you! If you already are a Play Nine player, please let me know! Maybe we can set up a virtual game!!!
*This post contains affiliate links
