What Happens If You Bury 99,999 Bells in Animal Crossing?

Burying bells in the glowing spot on your Animal Crossing island is a tempting way to try and grow money trees. But what exactly happens if you go for the highest denomination possible and bury a whopping 99,999 bells? The short answer is: It’s a gamble, and not a particularly safe one. While the prospect of earning almost 300,000 bells from a single tree is alluring, burying 99,999 bells does not guarantee a huge payout. In fact, you could end up with a significant loss.

The money tree mechanic in Animal Crossing isn’t designed to be a guaranteed high-roller’s method of amassing wealth. While there is a chance that a money tree will sprout three bags of bells, each equivalent to the amount you buried, it’s important to remember that the game includes an element of chance. If you bury 99,999 bells, there are two main outcomes:

• The Unlikely Jackpot: The money tree could produce three bags of 99,999 bells, totaling 299,997 bells. This is the dream scenario that makes burying large sums seem so enticing.

• The Much More Likely Loss: The money tree could just grow three bags of 10,000 bells, totaling 30,000 bells. In this case, you would lose 69,999 bells.

Therefore, when you bury 99,999 bells, you are essentially taking a significant risk with an often disappointing outcome. You are not guaranteed to triple your investment.

The Underlying Mechanics of Money Trees

The core concept behind money trees is simple: you find a glowing patch on the ground each day, bury bells, and a tree grows. The mystery lies in what the tree will produce. Here’s what you need to understand:

The Guaranteed Return

Burying 10,000 bells or less always guarantees a return of three times the amount you planted. If you bury 1,000 bells, you’ll get 3,000. If you bury 10,000, you’ll get 30,000. This is the safe method for growing money trees.

The Higher the Stakes, the Higher the Risk

Once you go beyond 10,000 bells, the rules change. There is no guaranteed three-fold return. Instead, a probability system is introduced. It appears that any amount above 10,000 bells has a chance to either generate three bags of 10,000 bells each or three bags of the amount buried.

The 30,000 Sweet Spot

Although the game doesn’t have clear, published percentages, many players have done extensive testing. It is widely accepted that burying around 30,000 bells offers the best balance of risk and reward. This appears to have a decent chance of giving you a return of 90,000 bells, but it is still not guaranteed.

Why You Might Think 99,999 Is the Best Idea

The temptation to bury 99,999 bells is understandable. The potential for a profit of 199,998 bells from a single money tree is massive, especially in the early game when you are trying to build your house and island. It’s easy to get drawn in by the idea of hitting the jackpot. However, it is vital to understand that this is an outlier, not the norm.

The Lure of the Big Win

The possibility of getting 299,997 bells makes people take the risk, but it is an infrequent occurrence. Many players have buried 99,999 bells multiple times without ever getting a triple return.

The Misunderstanding

Some players, often new to the game, might misunderstand the money tree mechanic, believing that burying the maximum amount will guarantee a maximum return. This is not true, and burying larger amounts will most likely not produce the desired outcome.

A Smarter Approach to Money Trees

Instead of chasing a big win that is unlikely to materialize, there are much more dependable ways to use money trees for profit. The safest and most consistent way to approach money trees are:

The 10,000 Bells Strategy

Burying 10,000 bells each day is a predictable way to generate 30,000 bells. This means you make a profit of 20,000 bells each day, which accumulates over time. While not the fastest path to wealth, it is reliable.

The 30,000 Bells Strategy

If you’re willing to take a slightly higher risk, burying 30,000 bells is the optimal choice to aim for maximum profit if you are looking to roll the dice. Even if it doesn’t always pay off, there is an increased probability of getting 90,000 bells compared to burying 99,999 bells.

FAQs About Money Trees

1. What is the maximum amount of bells you can get from a money tree?

The maximum amount of bells you can get from one money tree is 299,997 bells, if you’re incredibly lucky. This would be three bags of 99,999 bells each.

2. How often can I plant a money tree?

You can plant one money tree per day because only one glowing spot will appear each day.

3. What happens if I bury more than 99,999 bells?

Burying more than 99,999 bells is not possible in Animal Crossing. The maximum denomination for a bag of bells you can plant is 99,999. If you try to bury more than that, it will be reduced.

4. Do money trees always grow?

Yes, money trees always grow as long as there is a free space to do so. There is no need to water it or care for it.

5. Can I move a money tree after I plant it?

You cannot move a money tree immediately after planting it. However, after the tree has fully grown, you can use your shovel to dig it up and move it to another location on your island.

6. Are money trees guaranteed to give you a profit?

Burying 10,000 bells guarantees a profit. If you bury more than 10,000 bells, it is not guaranteed and you could make a loss.

7. Can I plant money trees on other people’s islands?

Yes, you can. The glowing spot will appear on all islands that have been visited on that day.

8. Does the location of the money tree affect the return?

No, the location of the money tree does not affect the return. The outcome is determined randomly after you bury the bells.

9. Why didn’t my money tree grow the amount I planted?

If you buried more than 10,000 bells, your tree might have grown three bags of 10,000 each. This is part of the randomness that is coded into the game.

10. Is there a glitch or trick to always get 99,999 bell bags?

No, there is no guaranteed trick or glitch to get 99,999 bell bags. The outcome is always random after burying more than 10,000 bells.

11. What is the best amount of bells to bury in Animal Crossing?

The safest amount is 10,000 bells to get a guaranteed return of 30,000 bells. The riskier option is 30,000 bells, which appears to have a good chance of yielding three bags of 30,000 bells each.

12. Is it worth burying 99,999 bells?

Generally, it’s not worth it due to the high risk of a low return. The odds of getting 299,997 bells are not favorable.

13. What happens if I shake a money tree?

Once the money tree is fully grown, you can shake it to get the three bags of bells that it produces.

14. Can money trees be used for anything other than bells?

No, money trees only produce bags of bells. They cannot be used for crafting or as decorative trees.

15. Can I sell the money tree after it grows?

No, you cannot sell the money tree after it grows. You can only dig it up to move it to another spot if you do not want to keep it where it is.

Conclusion

Burying 99,999 bells might seem like the path to instant riches in Animal Crossing, but it’s a risky gamble with an often disappointing outcome. While the potential payout is tempting, the chances of getting only 30,000 bells back are high. For consistent profit, stick to burying 10,000 bells or 30,000 if you want to gamble a little more, making the most of your daily glowing spot. This will provide a much more consistent and reliable way to boost your funds as you work to improve your island.