Rat-a-Tat Cat rules, and how it compares to Cabo and Rafiki

Rat-a-Tat Cat is the boxed family version of the hidden-card game: four face-down cards, peek at two, swap and draw to get the lowest score, then knock on the table to end the round. Here are the rules, the power cards, and how it lines up against Cabo, Cambio and Rafiki.

Play the grown-up version free: Rafiki, in your browser

What's in the box

Rat-a-Tat Cat (Gamewright, 1995) uses its own deck: number cards from 0 to 9 (the cats; low is good) and three kinds of power card: Peek, Swap and Draw 2. It's for 2 to 6 players, aged about 6 and up, and a game takes 15 to 20 minutes.

Setting up

1. Shuffle and deal 4 cards face down in a row to each player.
2. Each player looks at their two outside cards once, then puts them back without showing anyone.
3. Turn the top card of the deck over to start the discard pile.

On your turn

Draw the top card of the deck or the top card of the discard pile. Then either swap it with one of your four cards (the old card goes face up on the discard pile) or discard it. If you draw a power card from the deck you may use it:

• Peek: look at one of your own cards.
• Swap: swap one of your cards with one of another player's, without looking at either.
• Draw 2: draw a card; keep it or discard it and draw one more.

Power cards taken from the discard pile can't be used; they're just discarded again.

Ending the round

When you think you have the lowest total, knock on the table and say "Rat-a-Tat Cat" at the start of your turn. Everyone else gets one more turn, then all cards are revealed. Lowest total wins. Play as many rounds as you like; the usual game is to a set number of rounds or until someone reaches an agreed total.

Rat-a-Tat Cat vs Cabo vs Rafiki

Which should you play?

With children under about 8, Rat-a-Tat Cat: the 0 to 9 numbers make the adding easy and there's no penalty for mistakes. For a group of teens or adults who want more tension, Cabo or Cambio add spying and calling. For the fastest, loudest version, play Rafiki: slams from any hand, a safe call, and computer opponents to practise against. It's free online at playrafiki.com; the rules take two minutes.

Questions

How do you play Rat-a-Tat Cat?

Each player has 4 face-down cards and looks at the two outside ones once. On your turn draw from the deck or discard pile and swap it in or discard it, using Peek, Swap and Draw 2 power cards when you draw them. When you think you're lowest, knock and say Rat-a-Tat Cat; everyone gets one more turn, then lowest total wins.

Is Rat-a-Tat Cat the same as Cabo?

They're the same family. Rat-a-Tat Cat is simpler and made for children: numbers 0 to 9, Peek, Swap and Draw 2 cards, and no penalties. Cabo adds spying on opponents and a call with a penalty if you're wrong.

Can you play Rat-a-Tat Cat with regular cards?

Yes. Use Ace to 9 as 1 to 9, 10s as 0, Jacks as Peek, Queens as Swap and Kings as Draw 2. Or play Cambio or Rafiki, which are designed for a normal deck.

What age is Rat-a-Tat Cat for?

The box says 6 and up. Children who can add small numbers can play; adults enjoy it too, though most move on to Cabo, Cambio or Rafiki for more strategy.