Short answers to the things people ask most. If yours isn't here, ask in the Discord server or use the feedback button in the game.
Is Up to 9 free?
Yes. Up to 9 is a free hobby project — no paywall, no "energy" that runs out, no purchases that give an advantage in play. The website may show ads to cover the running costs.
Do I need an account to play?
Yes, but it's free and takes under a minute to create: username, email and password. Your email address is only used to reset your password if you forget it.
Can I play on my own?
Absolutely — it may well be the most common way to play. When you create a game, the waiting room automatically fills up with computer opponents (bots) in three difficulty levels. There's also a dedicated practice mode where you can drill the mechanics at your own pace, with no points at stake.
How do I play with friends?
Create a game and ask your friends to join — they can jump in and take a bot's seat right up until the game starts. A game holds up to six players, and you can mix friends and bots freely. There's also a friends list, chat, and the option to watch other people's games.
Is Up to 9 available as an app?
Up to 9 can be installed as an app on both mobile and desktop: tap "📲 Install app" in the menu on upto9.no and the game lands on your home screen and opens full-screen like a regular app. Native apps for the App Store and Google Play are being looked into.
Which languages are supported?
Norwegian and English. You can switch language in the settings (⚙) in the game.
What's the deal with the 2s and 3s?
They're the game's jokers: every 2 and 3 can stand in for any card — but can also be played as its own real card in the right suit. Each level has a cap on how many jokers your lay-down can contain. The whole mechanic is explained in the rules.
What happens if I lose my internet connection mid-game?
Nothing is lost. The game lives on the server, so you can close the tab, drop out of coverage or switch devices — when you log back in, the game continues right where it left off.
How do the leaderboard and points work?
Finished games earn points on a shared leaderboard, based on placement and opposition. Practice mode and sandbox games don't count. The leaderboard is shown in the game — and live in the Discord server, where a dedicated bot keeps the list up to date.
What are achievements and skins?
The game has a whole set of milestones (achievements) you unlock by playing — from your first win to the truly obscure feats. Several of them reward you with skins: card backs and name frames in different rarity tiers, from Common all the way to animated Mythic. Skins are purely cosmetic and give no advantage in play. Real-money purchases are not enabled yet.
Can a round become impossible to finish?
In rare cases, yes — if every card someone needs is already laid down on the table. The game detects this by itself and ends the round automatically: everyone who had laid down moves up a level as normal, and the next round is dealt. Nobody gets stuck in a round that can never end.
How do I block or report another player?
Tap the player's username in the chat to get the "🚫 Block" and "🚩 Report" options. Blocking someone hides their messages from you, and the two of you can no longer send each other friend requests — you can unblock at any time from your account page (tap your @username). Reports go to moderation together with the user's messages from the game, and players who break the terms can be banned.
How do I delete my account?
Log in at upto9.no (or in the app), tap your @username at the top and choose "Delete account" at the bottom of the account window. You confirm with your password, and the deletion is permanent: username, statistics, achievements, skins, friends and feedback are removed. Ongoing games must be left or finished first. If you cannot log in, you can request deletion at wilhelm@hkbits.no.
How do I give feedback or report a bug?
Use the feedback button in the game (it goes straight to the developer), or say so in the Discord server. Both get read — and a lot of what's been built comes straight from player suggestions; see the news page.
How is my data handled?
Sparingly: account and game data are stored on our own server only as far as the game needs them, the statistics are anonymous and cookieless (self-hosted Umami, with an opt-out), and nothing is ever sold on. The details are in the privacy policy.
Who's behind Up to 9?
A Norwegian developer who digitised the family's card game — read the story on the about page.