To steal a card, you must play matching pairs. While Cat Cards (cards with no instructions) must be played as matching pairs to steal a random card from another player, the rules also specify that playing matching pairs of any cards with the same title (such as a pair of Skip Cards or a pair of Shuffle Cards) functions as a special combo. These pairs allow you to pick another player and steal a random card from their hand. According to the manual, these cards are powerless on their own but become effective when collected as a pair.
Step-by-Step
Step 1: Collect two cards that share the same title (such as two Cat Cards or two Skip Cards).
Step 2: Play the matching pair as a single action.
Step 3: Select any other player at the table.
Step 4: Steal one random card from that player's hand.
Example Play Situation
Alice plays a pair of Cat Cards. She chooses Bob as her target and steals a random card from his hand. Bob then draws a card to end his turn.
Common Misconceptions
Thinking only Cat Cards can be used for stealing
Believing you can choose which specific card to steal from a player's hand
Thinking you must play cards one by one instead of as a pair
Quick Reference
You Can
You Cannot
You can play matching pairs of Cat Cards to steal a card
You cannot use a single card to steal
You can use pairs of other titled cards like Skip Cards to steal a card
You cannot choose a specific card from a player's hand; it must be random
You can play as many cards as you like before drawing to end your turn
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official rule for stealing cards in Exploding Kittens?
Play matching pairs of cards to steal a random card from another player's hand.
Can I use two Skip Cards to steal a card?
Yes, matching pairs of any cards with the same title can be used as a special combo.
Do Cat Cards have instructions for stealing?
No, they have no instructions but must be played in matching pairs to steal a card.
How do I end my turn in Exploding Kittens?
You end your turn by drawing a card from the top of the Draw Pile.
David Noah is a board game rules specialist and content creator who writes clear, dispute‑free guides for modern tabletop games. On this site, he focuses on answering the exact rules questions players argue about at the table, using official rulebooks, expansions, and tournament rulings as his primary sources. His goal is to turn confusing edge cases into simple, step‑by‑step explanations so you can spend less time debating and more time playing.
