To steal a card, players must play matching pairs. While some cards (Cat Cards) have no instructions and must be played as matching pairs to steal a random card from another player, the rules specify that playing matching pairs of Cat Cards no longer only applies to Cat Cards. It now applies to ANY pair of cards with the same title, such as a pair of Shuffle Cards or a pair of Skip Cards. These matching pairs can also be used in Special Combos.
Step-by-Step
Step 1: Collect two cards that share the same title (e.g., two Skip Cards or two Cat Cards).
Step 2: Play the matching pair as a single action.
Step 3: Select another player from the table.
Step 4: Steal one random card from that player's hand.
Example Play Situation
Alice plays a pair of Skip Cards to use their matching ability. She chooses Bob as the target and steals a random card from his hand. Bob then draws a card to end his turn.
Common Misconceptions
Only Cat Cards can be used to steal cards
You must choose a specific card to steal instead of a random one
You can only play pairs if the cards have instructions
Quick Reference
You Can
You Cannot
You can play matching pairs of any cards with the same title
You cannot choose which specific card you steal from a player
You can use matching pairs in Special Combos
You cannot play a single Cat Card to steal a card
You can steal a random card from any other player
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official rule for stealing cards in Exploding Kittens?
Play matching pairs of cards with the same title to steal a random card from another player.
Can I use two Skip Cards to steal a card?
Yes, any pair of cards with the same title can be played to steal a random card.
Do Cat Cards work differently than other pairs?
No, the ability to steal a random card now applies to any matching pair of cards with the same title.
How do I use Cat Cards to steal?
Collect matching pairs of Cat Cards and play them to steal a random card from an opponent.
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.
