Rat A Tat Cat Card Game

We were looking for a quick game that we could play on game nights between longer sessions. This fits in just perfectly. The game has very simple rules (the lowest score wins), and it is player ended (first person that believes they have the lowest score, says "Rat a tat cat" and brings the game to it's final round). It goes by quick. A game can last anywhere from 60 seconds to a couple of minutes, especially once you get the rules down, cards are flying. Everyone seems to enjoy it too, all age groups, and the strategy and counting aspect is simple enough that my 5 year old can play without assistance, and often beats the adults!The game itself is just cards, in a much larger, sturdy cardboard box. If you have other Gamewright card games, it's the same kind of box you get with Sleeping Queens, Zeus on the Loose, etc. The game itself doesn't take much space (four cards for each person on the table at a time, plus a draw deck and a discard pile - that's it) so this makes a good game to take with you on vacations, traveling or while visiting friends. The rules are simple enough to explain and lure others into a game as well.The only two complaints are very small... First is the "6" card. It has a giant green cat balloon being lead by small rats. It is indeed a "Rat" card and not a desirable "cat" card despite the cat being depicted as the focus. Also the "4" is very slim and stylized and looks like a "1". Have had confusion over a younger player and an elderly player believing they had a "1" when it was really a "4". Do these little things ruin the game? Absolutely not, but it is something you might want to point out to those new to the game.Also don't expect lengthy game sessions. Rat-a-Tat-Cat is fun for the fast paced, quick card game that it is. It's not nearly as popular with my kids as "Horse Show" or "Sleeping Queens" but they always demand to play it in between games, and that says a lot.

We are a family that plays and owns a lot of board games and card games. This is one game that has appealed to all of our kids beginning at age 4, an age when there are few good games beyond classics like Chutes and Ladders or Candyland. Our older kids now continue to enjoy playing it with the younger ones, who often beg to play it after school and don't need an adult to play along. I also like that the game has some opportunity for different kinds of strategy and not just luck. It was recommended to us originally at our local toy shop, which is owned by a guy who really knows his games, and the game has also won lots of awards, so we gave it a go. We've since bought several more for birthday gifts and even to respond to our school's request to send in good "rainy day" games, which we thought the teachers would appreciate it because it doesn't have a lot of small parts, the game goes fast and can accommodate an odd number of multiple players, and the box doesn't take up too much room in the classroom.The goal of the game for each player is to have the lowest total score at the end of the game, based on four cards placed in front of each player, where the low numbers have a corresponding picture of cats and the high numbers are rats (and the middle cards are combinations of rats and cats); the cards are numbered 0-9. The gist of the rules: each player gets four cards at the start of the game, placed face down, and can look at the *two outer cards only* before play begins but must put them back face down. Once play begins, the players can't look again if they forget! (The instructions provide that players might keep the outer cards face up when playing with younger players, but we never did.) Each player therefore also has two cards in the middle that are "mystery cards" at the start of the game. Each turn, a player has an opportunity to either draw a card or take the card on the top of the discard pile. For example, if Player A draws a "2" and thinks that is better than one of his/her mystery cards, it will replace a mystery card with the 2 and discard the mystery card face up on the discard pile, always keeping cards in front of him/her facedown. But sometimes the discarded mystery card turns out to be a good, low number card, which can then be picked up by Player B. Watch out, though, because the game also includes a "Swap" card that, when drawn, lets another player swap a card with any other player, so all eyes will watch where a low discard card goes if Player B takes it, in case a swap opportunity arises! The game also includes a few "Peek" cards that, when drawn, allow the player to peek at one of his/her cards. As soon as a player thinks he/she has the lowest total, he/she knocks the table and says "Rat a Tat Cat!" and all players get one more turn before the game ends, and all cards are turned over and tallied.It teaches kids about memory, simple math, poker faces (don't look too excited when you see a low number or you'll be vulnerable to a lousy swap!), and the merits of different strategies, including waiting until a player *knows* the value of all his/her cards to "rat a tat cat" or be willing to take a risk and end the game early when he/she knows only three and hopes that the unknown "mystery" card is a low number.

Fantastic game. Easy to learn and teach, with just the right balance of luck and strategy for kids to play with adults without anyone getting bored or frustrated. My 6yo loves it, and I enjoy playing with him. Plus, at the end of each round you need to add up numbers on cards, so it’s reinforcing his math skills.

Our Grand daughter loves this game. Somehow she wins most of the time. 🤔 Her PopPop and I love it because it’s not complicated and you can play as many rounds as you want. Also it gets her off of her IPad.

We love this game! Our 5 year old can play it with us no problem. Such a fun family game. We’ve introduced others to it and it has always been a big hit!

Excelent game for family night, super fun!

OUR ELEMENTARY GRAND CHILDREN LOVE THIS GAME. FUN GAME.

Fun game for the whole family