29 Scoring Explained: Red Six, Black Six and the Race to Six
In 29 you don't add up card points across hands. Each hand is simply won or lost, and a running game score decides the winner. Many tables keep that score with two spare cards: a red Six and a black Six.
Game points per hand
- Bidders make their bid: +1 for the bidding team.
- Bidders fail: −1 for the bidding team.
- Doubled: ±2. Redoubled: ±4. Single hand: ±3.
The red and black Sixes
The Sixes aren't used in play (29 uses 7 to Ace), so each team takes one spare Six as a score card. The Six has six pips. By turning a second card over the Six and exposing pips one at a time, a team shows its score:
- Red pips showing = positive score.
- Black pips showing = negative score.
In some places the red Six is called nali or "red chaka" and the black Six kala or "black chaka".
Winning and losing the game
When a team reaches six red (+6), it wins the game. At six black (−6), it loses. Then everything resets and a new game begins.
Why this system is clever
Because only win or loss matters, a team that is far behind can't catch up with one huge hand, except through doubles, redoubles or a Single hand. That's what makes those bold calls so exciting near the end.
On Cheettukali
The table shows a "Now (±6)" score and a games-won counter. Your record is saved on your phone.
Worked example of a game
| Hand | Result | Team A | Team B |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A bid 17, made | +1 | 0 |
| 2 | B bid 18, failed | +1 | −1 |
| 3 | A bid 20, doubled, made | +3 | −1 |
| 4 | B Single hand, made | +3 | +2 |
| 5 | A bid 19, redoubled, made | +7 → wins | +2 |
Tables differ on whether only the bidding team's score moves (as above) or both teams move in opposite directions. Agree before the first deal.
Do you need real Sixes?
No. Any score sheet works; the Sixes are just a handy tradition that uses the spare cards from the pack.
🃏 Try it now: play the 29 card game free in your browser, no download, no money.
FAQ
How do you win a game of 29?
By reaching +6 game points. A team at −6 loses the game.
What are the red and black sixes in 29?
Spare Six cards used as score markers. Red pips show a positive score, black pips a negative one.