9 Lives is a trick-taking game where players compete to earn the most points. The game uses 3-4 suits which show the color of the cards on the rear.

Players make bids of if they will win 1-6 tricks, and can bid exactly or a range. Each number may only be bid up to two times. Points are earned when a player hits their bid and lost if they miss it.

The game is "must follow" with a fixed trump suit. The winner of a trick also takes one of the cards played to the trick other than theirs to place in their hand.

The game ends after either 4 rounds or a player has earned 9 points, and the player with the most points wins.