Bi₉Rh₂Br₃, Bi₉Rh₂I₃, and Bi₉Ir₂I₃ were synthesized from the elements using niobium bromides or iodides as auxiliaries to modify the partial pressures in the course of the reaction. X-ray diffraction on single crystals showed that the compounds are not isomorphous. However they have a common structural principle: strands of condensed [MBi₈] polyhedra, which are separated by halide anions. The spatial arrangement of the ¹∞[MBi_1/1Bi_7/2] strands differs with the combination of elements: In Bi₉Rh₂I₃ (monoclinic, P2₁/m (no. 11), a = 775.6(1), b = 1374.9(2), c = 901.1(2) pm, β= 109.29(2)°) all strands are oriented parallel to each other. Bi₉Rh₂Br₃ (monoclinic, P2₁/m. (no. 11), a = 927.98(8), b = 1372.1(1), c = 1992.7(2) pm, β = 100.77(1)°) and Bi₉Ir₂I₃ (orthorhombic, Pnma (no. 62), a = 2677.5(5), b = 1394.2(2), c = 967.6(1) pm) are ordered polytypes with two orientations changing in alternating layers of characteristic widths. The experimental proof of metallic conductivity in Bi₉Ir₂I₃ supports the assumption of delocalised electrons inside the ¹∞[MBi_1/1Bi_7/2] strands. The magnetic susceptibility of Bi₉Rh₂Br₃ increases slowly with decreasing temperature and shows a local maximum at about 14 K.