Rat-a-Tat Cat

Description

--- "Rat-a-Tat Cat" (Biberbande) is a memory-based card game where players improve hidden 4-card hands for the lowest score using draws, replacements, and action cards. Key mechanics include: - *Hand management* Players start with 4 face-down cards, peeking at outer two, replacing to minimize total value (0-9 ranks). - *Drawing options* Draw from draw pile (replace or discard number/action) or discard pile (must replace face-down card). - *Action cards* "Exchange" swaps with opponent; "Spy" peeks own card; "2X draw" peeks top draw card, keeps or takes next. - *Knocking* Ends round after one turn each, scoring lowest sum wins; play as many rounds as players. - *Memory and bluffing* Track cards via partial peeks, poker faces, and spies amid 66-card deck (numbers 0-9, actions). Rat-a-Tat Cat, a 1996 Mensa Select winner republished as Biberbande by Amigo in 2002, is a card game for ages 6+ where players aim for the lowest score by improving initial unknown 4-card hands dealt face-down, with brief peeks at outer cards. Turns involve drawing from draw pile (numbers 0-9 allow face-down replacement or discard; actions like 9 Exchanges, 7 Spies, 5 "2X draws" can be used or ignored) or mandatory replacement from discard pile. Interaction via Exchanges with opponents, Spies to view own cards, and "2X look" to peek/choose top draw cards heightens strategy. Knocking signals round end after one final turn per player; totals revealed, lowest wins, with games spanning player count rounds. Emphasizes memory for card values, timing draws, and poker-faced deception among cool cats and bad rats. ---