How to Play Rat-a-Tat Cat: Rules, Power Cards and Scoring

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How to play Rat-a-Tat Cat: Rat-a-Tat Cat is a short memory card game from Gamewright, designed by Monty and Ann Stambler, for 2 to 6 players ages 6 and up. Every player keeps four cards face down, and the goal is to finish each round with the lowest total. Cats carry the friendly low numbers and rats carry the costly high ones, so the whole game is about remembering what you hold and trading up to better cats. This guide covers setup, a turn, the three Power cards, how a round ends, scoring and an easier way to play with younger kids.

What is in the Rat-a-Tat Cat box

• 28 Cat cards. Each shows a point value, and cats are the cards you want to keep.
• 17 Rat cards. These also show point values, and they are the cards you want to get rid of.
• 9 Power cards: three Peek, three Swap and three Draw 2. Power cards have no point value of their own.
• A rules sheet. You will want a pencil and paper for keeping score.

Rat-a-Tat Cat setup

1. Choose a dealer and a scorekeeper.
2. Deal four cards to each player. Without looking, each player lays their four cards face down in a row in front of them.
3. Put the rest of the deck face down in the middle as the draw pile.
4. Turn over the top card to start the discard pile. If it is a Power card, shuffle it back into the deck and turn over another.
5. Everyone takes one secret look at their two outer cards, the ones on the far left and far right, then turns them face down again. You may not look at your cards again unless a Power card lets you.

That opening peek is the heart of the game. You know half of your hand and have to guess about the two middle cards, so every later decision is a small bet on your memory.

How a turn works in Rat-a-Tat Cat

On your turn, take one card. You can take the top card of the discard pile, which everyone can see, or the top card of the draw pile, which is a surprise. Then do one of two things:

• Use it: swap it for any one of your four face-down cards, and put the card you replaced face up on the discard pile.
• Toss it: if you do not want the card you drew from the draw pile, put it face up on the discard pile.

Play passes to the left. Because the discard pile is public, pay attention to what other players throw away and what they pick up. If a player grabs a low cat from the discard pile, you know exactly which card of theirs is now good.

The three Power cards

Power cards only work when you draw them from the draw pile. If one is dealt to you at the start, it does nothing and must be replaced at the end of the round. Once a Power card hits the discard pile, nobody can use it again.

Peek

Show the card, then secretly look at any one of your own cards. Your turn ends and the Peek goes to the discard pile. Use it on the middle card you are least sure about.

Swap

Show the card and discard it. You may then switch one of your cards with any card belonging to another player, without looking at either first. The swap is optional. After the swap, each player can look at the card they just received, unless your group agreed before the game that new cards stay hidden. Your turn then ends.

Draw 2

Show the card, then take up to two more turns. Draw the next card from the draw pile. If you use it, your turn ends there. If you discard it instead, you draw a second card, which you may use or discard. Then your turn is over.

Ending a round: knocking with “Rat-a-Tat Cat”

When you think your four cards add up to the lowest total at the table, knock on the table at the end of your turn and say “Rat-a-Tat Cat.” Every other player gets one more turn. Then everyone flips their cards over and adds up the points.

• Any Power card still in your row must be replaced with a card from the draw pile before you score. If the replacement is another Power card, draw again.
• The lowest total wins the round.
• Knocking too early is the classic mistake. If you are unsure about a middle card, a Peek or one more round of trading is usually worth it.

How to win a game of Rat-a-Tat Cat

Decide before you start which of the three official endings your group will use:

1. Play a set number of rounds and the lowest running total wins.
2. Play for a set amount of time, such as 20 minutes, and the lowest total at the buzzer wins.
3. Play until players reach 100 points. Anyone who reaches 100 is out, and the last player still in wins.

For a family game night with young kids, a set number of rounds keeps things short and predictable. The 100-point version is better for older players who enjoy a longer game.

Easier rules for younger players

For kids who are still learning numbers, players leave their two outer cards face up and keep only the two middle cards hidden. Everyone can see two of every player’s cards, so there is less to remember, and the Swap card can only take one of the hidden middle cards. Everything else stays the same.

Tips for winning more rounds

• Throw rats away early. A high card you already know about is the easiest upgrade on the table.
• Track what your neighbors pick up from the discard pile. If a low cat goes to the player on your left, a Swap aimed at that spot is a great play.
• Get rid of Power cards dealt to you as soon as you can. Replacing them at the end is a gamble.
• Watch for a player who stops drawing from the discard pile. They may be close to knocking.

If your family likes Rat-a-Tat Cat, Sushi Go! is a natural next step from the same publisher. It costs about $12 and teaches card drafting in about 15 minutes. Sleeping Queens is another Gamewright favorite, and our guide on how to play Sleeping Queens explains it. For more ideas, see the best game gifts for kids.

Rat-a-Tat Cat rules FAQ

How many players can play Rat-a-Tat Cat?

Two to six players, ages 6 and up.

Can you use a Power card from the discard pile?

No. Power cards only work when drawn from the draw pile, and once discarded they cannot be used by anyone.

What happens to a Power card in your row at the end of a round?

You replace it with a card from the draw pile before scoring, and draw again if the replacement is also a Power card.

Who wins Rat-a-Tat Cat?

The player with the lowest total, either after a set number of rounds, after a set time, or as the last player under 100 points.