29 Master: bidding for trumps, guarding the Jack and nine
29 Master is a bidding card game where you choose trumps and guard your Jacks and nines. How the game plays, and where to get it.
Twenty-nine is a bidding game at heart. You do not play for the cards you hold so much as for the points those cards can win, so the bid decides the whole hand. 29 Master is Live Game Labs' bidding game. The studio says players choose trumps and guard their Jacks and nines, and that is the core of the play.
Guard the Jack and the nine
In 29 the Jack and the nine are the two highest-scoring cards in every suit. A Jack is worth more than any other single card, and a nine is close behind. Keeping them out of an opponent's trick is the main job of the defending team, and winning them with your own team is the main job of the bidder.
Choose trumps with care
The bidder chooses the trump suit. The best trump is the suit where you hold the Jack and the nine, and where the other cards support you. A long suit with both top cards is a strong choice. A suit with one top card and no support is a gamble.
Bidding is a promise
Every bid is a promise to win a set number of points. Bid higher than your hand can score and the other team scores when you fail. Our bidding strategy guide shows how to count the points your hand can win before you bid.
Get it
Our view: 29 Master is one of the best ways to play this game on a phone. The links below go to the store page and the studio.
For a comparison with other 29 apps, see 29 King from Evonix Ventures and Card Hero, which also includes 29 and Hazari.
Questions people ask
What is 29 Master?
A bidding game from Live Game Labs. The studio says players choose trumps and guard their Jacks and nines.
Why do the Jack and nine matter?
They are the two highest-scoring cards in 29. Losing one to an opponent costs more than losing a low card.
How does bidding work?
Players bid how many points their team can win. The bidder chooses trump, and the team has to reach the bid. Our bidding guide covers the details.
Is it the same as 29 Royale?
It is a different app with its own studio. The core game is the same family, so the 29 rules apply to both.
Does it need the internet?
The studio's site does not say this. Check the store page for offline play.
Where can I find the studio's other games?
Card Adda, Board Adda and Hazari are listed on the studio's site, livegameslab.com.