How To Play: Cats

Overview

So, you just got your paws on a copy of Cats, and now you want to impress your friends (or at least not embarrass yourself). Good news! This guide has you covered with a quick outline of the game rules and the best tips I’ve picked up after many close calls with feline defeat. Stick around for some honest advice, and maybe a hairball joke or two.

What’s in the box

• 30 Cat tiles
• 85 Fish tokens
• 40 Treasure tokens
• 150 Discovery cards
• 47 Lesson cards
• 4 Boats
• 1 Scoring pad
• 4 Reference cards
• 1 Rulebook
• 1 Oshax tile set (6 tiles)
• 20 Basket tokens
• 10 Permanent basket tokens
• 4 Cat meeples
• 1 Fish bag

How To Play Cats: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Lay out the board in the middle of the table. Make sure everyone can reach.
2. Give each player a boat board and two fish tokens. Yes, real fish would be cool, but these ones don’t smell.
3. Shuffle all the cat tiles and place them in the cat bag. Draw a pile of cats and place them on the island board.
4. Deal seven lesson cards to each player. Pick and keep two, then pass the rest left. Do this until you have seven cards again. Yes, passing is mandatory. No hoarding!
5. Each player takes a basket token. Don’t worry, you won’t actually be carrying cats in these. They’re for rescuing.

Gameplay

1. Players take turns rescuing cats from the island by spending fish and using basket tokens. The more fish you have, the more cats you can rescue. Just like my last trip to the pet store.
2. Place each rescued cat on your boat board, arranging them Tetris-style. The cats don’t like gaps, apparently—mine certainly don’t at home.
3. Play lesson cards to earn bonus points by completing certain achievements. I always forget this part, then lose by three points. Don’t be like me.
4. Keep rescuing and placing cats until the island runs out of cats or everyone runs out of fish (or patience).

Winning

1. Count up points from cats in families (groups of same color), completed lessons, and rare treasures. I always try to impress with a rainbow of cats—never works, but it’s pretty.
2. Subtract points for empty spaces on your boat and for any rats still on board. Rats are freeloaders and will cost you dearly.
3. The player with the most points wins. The winner gets bragging rights and maybe first pick of snacks next round.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If you run out of baskets, you must wait until the next round to rescue more cats. No sneaky catnapping!
2. Some cards allow special actions, like rescuing free cats or moving tiles. Use these wisely (not like me, who once rescued a cat straight off the table).
3. If two players tie, whoever has the most fish wins. If still tied, both must meow loudly. Okay, maybe not, but it should be a rule.

There you have it! Now you know How To Play cats and, with luck, you’ll avoid the mistakes I always make. Enjoy herding your cardboard felines!

Best Cats Strategies

Catch the Victory: Drafting and Tile Placement Wisdom

Pick Your Cats Wisely

In How To Play cats, drafting is more than grabbing the cutest feline. Aim for cats that fit your board, and steal picks your rivals want. Remember, every cat you snatch hurts your friends’ plans.

1. Choose cats that fill big spaces first.
2. Block your opponents’ color sets.
3. Don’t ignore rare treasures!

Perfect Placement

Next comes tile placement. You want to cover rats and fill rooms fast. Matching shapes is tricky, but try corners first, then larger gaps.

1. Fill room edges and corners quickly.
2. Stack same-color cats together for bonuses.
3. Plug those awkward gaps so you don’t lose points.

Mastering Cat Rescues and Arrangements: Outwit with Furry Precision

Rescue Early, Regret Never

When playing How To Play cats, scooping up cats early can give you more color choices. You can always claim the one your cousin Jimmy wants, just to see his face.

1. Choose cats that fit your lesson cards.
2. Rescue the rare colors first before they vanish.
3. Snatch up cats that block your rivals’ best moves.

Arrange With Skill, Not Chaos

After rescuing, arranging cats is key. I once left a weird gap, and my dreams of a perfect basket went to the litter box.

1. Fit same-colored cats together for family bonuses.
2. Cover up pesky rats for points.
3. Leave spots for future cats, not regrets.

Maximize Every Rescue

Every cat you rescue should have a plan. Don’t just grab a furry friend—think of how it fits, both on your boat and in your strategy.

Become a Cat Genius: Scoring Big in How To Play cats

Scoring in How To Play cats can make or break your game. I learned the hard way after losing by just one point. Follow my tips and you’ll never have to face the shame of last place again.

Mastering Public Lessons

1. Always check what your rivals want from public lessons. Deny them points when possible.
2. Pick lessons that fit your board and tile choices, not just the flashy ones.
3. Double up on lessons that work together for big combos.

Private Lesson Power

1. Keep your private lessons secret until they can shock your friends at the end!
2. Focus on private lessons that match the shape of your rescued cats, so you don’t waste tiles.

Balanced Approach

1. Don’t put all your points into one lesson. Spread the love for better scores.
2. Always count your potential points a turn ahead. I once won because I saw a crazy combo coming a mile away.

May The Best Cat Collector Win!

So, those are my top tips for How To Play cats and actually stand a chance against my friend Sarah, who plays like she’s part cat. Remember, grab those fish, rescue cats wisely, and don’t forget to stack your lessons for bonus points. If you end up with cats in your lap after the game, you did it right. Good luck, and may your boxes always be full!

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