How To Play: Cats

As someone who’s battled my friends in Cats many times, here’s my take: collect fish smart, place cats for max points, and manage your cards like a sneaky raccoon. Learn How To Play cats well and you’ll end up king of the box. Strategy and laughter guaranteed every night!

Cats: Box Cover Front

Overview

If you’ve ever wondered how to herd a bunch of cardboard cats without them ruining your evening, welcome to the club. My friends and I have clawed our way through The Isle of Cats and I’ve got the scratched-up arms to prove it. This guide covers a clear outline of the game rules, plus our top strategies to help you win. Yes, there are actual tactics beyond complaining about bad tile draws!

What’s in the box

  • 1 Island Board
  • 4 Boat Boards
  • 150 Cat Tiles
  • 85 Fish Tokens
  • 30 Treasure Tokens
  • 47 Discovery Cards
  • 42 Lesson Cards
  • 18 Rare Find Tokens
  • 4 Score Markers
  • 1 Round Marker
  • 1 Bag
  • 1 Rulebook

How To Play Cats: Rules Summary

Setup

  1. Hand out a cat board and fish tokens to every player. Don’t eat the fish. Trust me, they taste nothing like real fish.

  2. Shuffle the cat tiles and place them in a pile. This is not a trap, unless you hate cats.

  3. Deal everyone a set of cards. Promise your friends you won’t cheat… yet.

  4. Pick a starting player. The person who last pet a cat is a crowd favorite, but arguments may break out anyway.

Gameplay

  1. On your turn, draw cards. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a good one; if not, blame the shuffler.

  2. Use cards or spend fish to lure cats from the pile to your board. Sometimes cats ignore you, even in board games.

  3. Arrange the cats in clever ways to score points. Making patterns is fun, but don’t panic if your board looks like a fur explosion.

  4. Repeat until the cat pile is gone or your friends start meowing.

Winning

  1. When all cats are adopted, count your points from patterns, sets, and any bonus cards.

  2. The player with the highest total wins. They earn the title of Supreme Cat Herder (until the next game).

Special Rules & Conditions

  1. If two players tie, have a sudden death round with just one cat. The stakes have never been higher.

  2. If you run out of fish tokens, try begging, bribing, or just lying low until your fortune improves.

  3. Some cards break the normal rules—always read the fine print and use them for maximum chaos.

So, that’s the scoop on How To Play cats. Easy to learn, even easier to become obsessed with. Meow your way to victory!

Best Cats Strategies

Get Rich or Cat Trying: Resource Collection in Cats

Snatch Fish Like a Pro

Fish is gold in Cats, and you’ll need heaps. Always plan your turn so you grab the most, not just the quickest. Prioritize high-fish cards over flashy cat cards early on.

  1. Pick cards that give fish or discounts.
  2. Pass on cats if it means more fish later.
  3. Count your fish stash before each big buy.
Budget Like a Cat on a Diet

Don’t blow your stash on the first round. Instead, spread your fish across every phase.

  1. Think ahead: Will you need fish next round?
  2. Don’t be afraid to skip a lure if it means a jackpot next turn.
How To Play cats: Bonus Fish Tricks

Watch your rivals! Sometimes, stealing a cheap fish card hurts them more than it helps you. Keep your eyes peeled for fish bonuses hidden in baskets or special cards.

Mastering the Art of Optimal Cat Placement

The Corners Hold Power

Always check those corners first! Cats placed here lock in bonus points and block rivals from easy steals. A sneaky start often wins games.

Shape Matching for Maximum Points

Next, match cat shapes to your boat’s awkward gaps. This avoids wasted space and lets you grab those tricky lesson goals. Try these tips:

  1. Save big cats for bigger gaps.
  2. Use small cats for tight corners.
  3. Work around obstacles, like those barrels that trip everyone up!

Plan for Future Moves

Finally, always leave room for more. Think about tomorrow’s cats! If you box yourself in, you will regret it. For more, check How To Play cats and always outsmart your rivals.

Mastering Card Management in Cats

Prioritize Versatility

You won’t win many games if you stick to the same few cards each round. Instead, keep your options open. Versatile cards get you out of trouble when your friends start ganging up on you.

  1. Hold back wild cards until the last moment.
  2. Choose multi-use cards for key turns.

Anticipate Opponent Moves

My friend Linda always snatches the good stuff. With that in mind, monitor what everyone’s collecting and adjust your card picks.

  1. Watch discard piles closely.
  2. Draft cards that block your rivals.

Sequence for Maximum Effect

Don’t just play cards at random! Combo moves can turn a loss into a shocking win. Plan ahead and surprise your friends.

  1. Stack effects for big turns.
  2. Chain actions for bonus points.

Above all, remember that How To Play cats means always thinking one step ahead with your cards!

Ready to Pounce on Victory?

After wrangling cats for hours with my friends, I learned that luck helps, but strategy rules the day. Keep your fish close, your cards closer, and your cats in the coziest spots. Remember, winning in Cats isn’t about having the most furballs—it’s all about clever moves and a bit of sass. So next game night, show off your new skills on How To Play cats and enjoy those bragging rights. Just don’t let your cats knock the pieces off the table. Again.

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

Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.