Many players mistakenly believe that only Cat Cards can be used to steal cards, but the rules for matching pairs have expanded.
According to the Exploding Kittens Official Rulebook, you can steal a random card from another player by playing matching pairs.
Exploding Kittens Official Rules [edition not specified]
These rules correspond to the US edition of Exploding Kittens.
Official Rule Breakdown
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.