Contents
Rules
A game for 4-7 humans
110 cards divided as follows:
63 Cat cards divided into seven breeds of cats, each represented in nine different poses.
4 numbered cards 1, 2, 3, and 4.
29 “Meow” cards indicating various ways of meowing in various languages.
14 “Pawprint” cards used to keep score. Each pawprint is worth one point.
Objective of the Game
To recompose a “purrfect” hand of cards, i.e., nine cards all depicting the same cat.
Game setup
Take the Cat cards and divide them into seven decks, each composed of nine cards featuring the same cat. The Cat cards are distinguished both by the image and by the color. Each cat also has its name starting with a different letter.
Place the four numbered cards on the table so that they are all clearly visible.
Shuffle the deck of “Meow” cards, draw four at random, and place them near the numbered cards to associate a meow with each number. The remaining “Meow” cards can be put back in the box.
Randomly take a corresponding number of Cat card decks based on the number of humans (for example, if there are five of you, you will take 5 decks, each depicting a different cat).
Put the other Cat cards back in the box. Shuffle the Cat cards thoroughly and distribute them to all humans so that each has a hand of 9 cards.
How to Play
The game is divided into rounds.
The goal of each round is to manage to recompose a hand of nine cards all depicting the same cat before your opponents.
To do this, you must propose to exchange from one to four of your cards with another human, receiving in return an equivalent number of cards from their hand.
The exchange must be carried out respecting these simple rules:
1 – The exchange offer must be announced to all using the meow associated with the number of cards intended to be offered and placing the cards on the table. For example, if the number 4 is associated with the meow “Mraaoo” and I want to offer four cards, I must say “Mraaoo” and not “four.”
2 – The cards offered for exchange must all represent the same cat. For example, if I propose to exchange four cards, those I put on the table must all depict the same cat (obviously in different poses). However, it must not reveal which cat it is. The offered cards must remain covered.
3 – Anyone is free to accept the exchange on equal terms, thus offering in return the same number of cards, respecting the same rule (i.e., the cards given in exchange represent a single cat).
4 – The exchange takes place with covered cards, so the two humans involved in the exchange know how many cards they are exchanging but do not know which cat they will receive from the other human.
5 – The exchange is proposed but does not have to be accepted. However, once accepted, you cannot change your mind.
6 – All exchange proposals occur simultaneously without following a predefined turn. All exchanges are then resolved instantaneously, but at the end of each exchange, each human must always have nine cards in hand.
7 – The first human to complete a purrfect hand (i.e., with nine cards all depicting the same cat) declares it aloud, showing their cards to everyone.
8 – If the hand is indeed purrfect, the game round ends immediately.
9 – If a human erroneously declares a purrfect hand, they must take back their cards and continue playing.
Scoring and Victory
The human who recomposes a purrfect hand is awarded two “pawprints.” The other humans count what their best combination of cards is, and the one with the most cards of the same cat wins a pawprint.
In the event of a tie, the pawprint can be won by more humans.
Humans take the cards needed to keep track of their score and lay them in front of them, face up.
At the end of each round, all Cat cards are shuffled, redistributed to the humans, and a new round is played.
The first human to reach five pawprints wins the game.
In case two humans end the round tied, the winner is considered the one who won two pawprints in the just concluded round, even if they did not reach five.
Perhaps it’s not the fairest choice, but Leo decided so…
A Few More Words…
This game is dedicated to Leo, a truly unique and special cat. Leo is no longer with us, but now he can continue to play with all the humans who loved him.
We want to thank Dr. “Aunt” Daniela Marinone, Dr. Paolo Landsberg, and Dr. Marco Bianchi with his staff (Leuzzo forever!) who took care of Leo with sincere affection.
And thanks again to Anny, Catia, Daniela M., Daniela B., D
This game would have been greatly enjoyed by Joe Riot.
Un gioco di Spartaco Albertarelli
Illustrazioni di Donatella Nicolò
- RACCOLTA DIFFERENZIATA
