Three men A, B and C play cards. If one loses the game he has to give ₹3. If he wins the game he will gain ₹3 each from the other two losers. If A has won 3 games, B loses ₹3, C wins ₹12, then the total number of games played is

B loses ₹3 and C wins ₹12.

Total balance must be zero:
\(A + (-3) + 12 = 0\)
\(A + 9 = 0\)
\(A = -9\)

So, A finally loses ₹9.

A has won 3 games.
In each winning game, A gains ₹3 from B and ₹3 from C.

Gain per winning game:
\(3 + 3 = 6\)

Total gain from 3 wins:
\(3 \times 6 = 18\)

But A finally loses ₹9, so total loss in losing games:
\(18 + 9 = 27\)

In each losing game, A gives ₹3.

Number of losing games:
\(\frac{27}{3} = 9\)

Total games played:
\(3 + 9 = 12\)

Therefore, the correct answer is \(12\).