How To Play: Cats

Overview

If you’ve ever wanted to rescue cats and beat your friends at the same time, you’re in the right spot! My friends and I spent a weekend yelling, laughing, and maybe even hissing at each other over The Isle of Cats. In this guide, I’ll give you a quick outline of the rules and share my best (and weirdest) strategies for winning. Let’s get those cats home safe—and in style!

What’s in the box

• 1 game board
• 30 cat tiles
• 85 fish tokens
• 42 treasure tokens
• 150 discovery cards
• 47 lesson cards
• 1 bag
• 4 player boats
• 120 wooden cats
• 6 baskets
• 1 score pad
• 1 rulebook

How To Play Cats: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Lay out the island board at the center of the table. I once put it upside down and thought the cats were sailing to nowhere, so double check!
2. Give each player a boat board and a set of colored cat tiles. If you argue over colors like my group, settle it with rock-paper-scissors.
3. Shuffle the treasure and lesson cards, then deal the starting hand to everyone.
4. Put fish tokens and all cat meeples nearby. These are your future friends and snacks—treat them well.

Gameplay

1. Each turn, players collect fish. Use them to lure cats just like how I lure my real cat with treats.
2. Pick lesson cards to gain sneaky extra points at the end of the game.
3. Draft cat tiles by spending fish. Try to grab cats that fit your boat, but don’t block your own moves! I learned this the hard way.
4. Place your new kitties on your boat board. Touching same-color cats together is the cat’s pajamas for scoring points.

Winning

1. When the cat supply runs out, the game ends—just like my patience when someone takes forever to play.
2. Add up all points from cats, treasures, and lesson cards. Math-impaired friends can use a phone calculator (I always do).
3. The player with the highest score wins. They get the glory and probably a cat nap.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. Some rare treasures can bend placement rules. Always check the treasure rules or you’ll hear about it from your friends for weeks.
2. Lesson cards have unique goals. Don’t forget to read them—last time, I missed a card and lost by two points!
3. If you can’t place a cat tile, you must skip your turn. No sneaky tossing cats overboard allowed.

Now you know How To Play cats. With these rules, your crew will be meowing for more! Good luck, and may your boat be always full (but not too full) of cats.

Best Cats Strategies

Mastering Tile Placement for the Win!

I have played so many rounds with my friends, and let me tell you, tile placement makes or breaks your game. First, you need to grab the right spaces early, or someone else will snatch them. Next, keep your eye on your boat layout, since bad planning can lead to regret and cats sleeping in the wrong spots. Here’s what always helps me:

Snagging Priority Zones

1. Pick central spots first to control more area.
2. Fill corners with odd shapes while you can.

Matching Cat Colors

1. Group same-colored cats to score big.
2. Avoid splitting colors unless you have no choice.

Blocking Opponents

1. Place tiles to limit your friends’ good options.
2. Watch out for their sneaky moves!

Use these tricks and you’ll be the table cat king before you know it. And if you’re ever stuck, just ask: How To Play cats the smart way?

Mastering Your Fish: Resource Management to Outsmart Your Feline Friends

Set Priorities Early

Fish always disappear fast, so figure out what you want most at the start. Do you need more cats, baskets, or lessons? Spend wisely and keep your eyes on the goal.

1. Pick your main goal for each round
2. Spend fish only on cards or cats that fit your plan
3. Hold back a little fish for surprise moves

Snatch Opportunities Fast

If you see a bargain or a vital cat, grab it. Others will spot a good deal in no time. Don’t let them beat you to it!

1. Check all options before each buy
2. Take risks if it fits your long-term plan

Save, But Don’t Hoard

Saving fish is smart; sitting on piles is not. Always balance saving for future turns and spending to push your luck today. Remember, unused fish at the end is pointless.

1. Keep just enough fish for emergencies
2. Don’t skip buying a card if it will boost your score

When you master resource management, you will see your cat boat fill up with the best felines and treasures. That’s how to play Cats!

Turn Order Tricks to Outsmart Your Friends

Reading the Table

Always check what cats others want. This helps you decide when to go early or late in the round.

1. If you spot someone eyeing the same tile, grab first pick if possible.
2. Otherwise, wait and snatch leftovers while saving resources.

Changing Plans Fast

Switch your plan if the turn order won’t work in your favor. For example, sometimes it’s better to grab a juicy treasure card instead.

1. Keep an eye open for new openings as players change the board.
2. Exploit mistakes made by friends who go too early.

How To Play cats: Timing is Everything

Don’t get stuck in a rut. React fast, laugh off blunders, and always stay alert. With sharp turn order moves, How To Play cats becomes a lot more fun (and you might even win, unlike my cousin Dave who forgot it mattered).

Ready to Rule the Cat Boat?

If you’ve made it this far, congrats! You’re ready to show those other felines who’s boss. Playing Cats with friends taught me that planning is great, but good laughs are even better—especially when someone tries to fit a five-tail cat in a one-tail space (looking at you, Steve). With smart tile moves, sharp resource use, and sneaky turn order plays, you’ll be the cat’s whiskers in no time. Remember, How To Play cats is all about having fun, making mistakes, and maybe stealing a fish or two from your pals. Now go herd those cats—and may the fluffiest player win!

Want to know what we think of Cats? Read our detailed review of Cats here