Exploding Kittens is a fairly popular card game. I understand the appeal, the art is adorable and the cards are funny. It’s a great game to pull out for non gamers, it quick, it’s simple and it’s light. It’s definitely not going to be the bulk of a games night. That is something to keep in mind.

Exploding kittens is a card game where everyone draws a card until someone gets an Exploding kitten and they are eliminated.  This is a lighted hearted card game for 2 to 5 players aged 7 and up. The theme is adorable and the cards are funny. It’s a simple concept that works well.

To set up the game, remove the exploding kitten and defuse cards from the deck, deal out one diffuse card to each player.  Shuffle the remaining deck and deal seven cards facedown to each player. Then shuffle enough exploding kitten cards back into the deck so there is one fewer than the number of players and remove the rest. Add all the remaining diffuse cards back into the deck as well. Shuffle the deck and place it face down in the middle of the table. This will the draw pile and you are now ready to play.

On your turn you can either pass or play a card.  To play a card place it face up on the discard pile and follow the instructions.  To end the turn pick up a card from the draw pile.

The last player to who hasn’t been eliminated by an exploding kitten card wins.

Let’s talk about the type of cards. This is where your going to build your strategy.

Exploding Kitten Cards – this card is played immediately, you’re dead and out of the game. Unless you have a diffuse card.

Defuse Card – You play this card if you draw an exploding kitten, it prevents you from dying.  After you use this card it is placed in the discard pile but the exploding kitten is placed anywhere back in the draw pile. So be strategic.  Your turn is over after this card is played.

Nope Card – this can stop any action except an exploding kitten or a defuse card.  You can also play a nope on another nope card as well.  This can be played at any time even if its not your turn.

Attack Card – this immediately ends your turn without having to draw a card, plus it forces the next player to take 2 turns in a row.

Skip Card – this ends your turn without drawing a card. if you use this while being attacked, it only ends one of your turn.

Favour Card – this forces another player to give you one of their cards.

Shuffle Card – shuffle the draw pile without looking at the cards.

See the future Card – Sneak a peak at the top 3 cards from the draw Pile and put them back in the same order.  Don’t show anyone else the cards.

Cat Card – These don’t do anything on their own.  If you have a matching pair you can pair them to steal a card from another player.  They get to choose it.

Combos – if you play a combo the effects written on the card are ignored

Two of a Kind Combo – a matching pair can steal a card from another player.  They get to choose it.

Three of a Kind Combo – you can request a card from a  player.  If they have it, you get to take it.  If they don’t you get nothing for playing those cards.

Five Different Cards Combo – if you have five different cards you can play them and get to pick a card from the discard pile as long as its not an exploding kitten.

That sums up everything you need to know. A lot of the game is based on luck and doing whatever you can to avoid picking up a card but there is some strategy in how you play the cards you are dealt. At the beginning of the game you may want to hold on to your good cards because odds are lower you’ll pull an exploding kitten. It also helps to be observant and pay attention to what’s been played already for when you make choices on your turn. Lately a lot more games like this have been popping up, it’s not overly my style but with the short game play, simple rules and fun theme it’s easy to get people into it, its a nice option to have with a lot of replay value that’s pretty lighthearted.

If you like Exploding Kittens try:

Here to Slay