The object of the game is to avoid totalling 99 points of more in a round of play. Doing so ends the round, with the player that scored 99 or more points the loser.
Each player is dealt four cards with the remaining ones placed face down to form a draw pile.
The first player then play a card. If it's a number card, the running 'score' is increased by the amount on the card. A 'Reverse', 'Hold', or 'Double Play' card will keep the running score the same. After the player lays down his card, and he hasn't hit 99 points or above in the running score, the next player then takes his turn.
If a player hits 99 or more points on the running score, he loses the round. In 'token' play, this causes him to lose one of his tokens. When he loses and has no tokens left, he's eliminated from play.