Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
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You know what that cat wants. Or at least you think you do. Then you play the wrong card and everyone laughs.
What it's about
Are you sure you know what that cat wants?
Non Dire Gatto... (Don't Say Cat...) is a hand management game with a subtle and unpredictable core: each round, the kitty token is placed on a secret number that no one knows. Your task is to get as close as possible without exceeding it.
All players place their cards one at a time under the six objects on the table. The sum of each pair of cards determines the value of the object. Whoever has the sum closest to the cat — without exceeding it — wins the round.
But there's a brilliant twist: whoever wins the next round starts with one extra card in hand. Winning is harder with a larger deck. An automatic handicap system that levels the playing field and never stops surprising.
From the FroGames table
The cat seems predictable — then you play a wrong card and realize it's not at all. Every game is a small duel of perception.
The secret of Non Dire Gatto... in one line
Whoever wins makes their own life harder. The automatic handicap system is the stroke of genius that keeps everyone in the game until the last round.
From the game experience
Non Dire Gatto...
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · based on rules, international reviews and game sessionsWhat's in the box
Small, compact, and complete
42 Bait cards
The heart of the game. Each card has a value — choose wisely which ones to play to get close to the kitty without exceeding it.
6 Toy cards
The objects arranged on the table. All players' cards go under them to determine their value.
4 Room cards
They adjust the setup and add variety to the table configuration in each game.
Cat token + tracker
12 player tokens, 1 cat token, 1 round indicator. The miniature game track that keeps everything in check.
Twenty minutes, six people, endless discussions about who got closest. Always the case with Non Dire Gatto...
🎲Components6 types · 66 total pieces
🃏Recommended Sleeves1 size · 52 total cards
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
The kitty appears on the table
Place the marker on the numbered track. No one knows where it will stop. The deck is shuffled, cards are dealt. Six objects on the table, a glance at your hand. The game already begins with a question no one can ignore.
The first cards under the objects
Everyone plays one card at a time, in order. Observe what others do. Try to understand where they're aiming — and not to go too high. The tension is silent but real: no one wants to go over the cat.
The final values of the objects
Each object now has two cards underneath. Sums are calculated. Everyone moves their marker on the track. Someone is very close. Someone has already passed the kitty. Someone laughs nervously.
Whoever won... starts at a disadvantage
Whoever is closest to the cat without having passed it wins the round. But here's the stroke of genius: they advance one space on their personal tracker — meaning they'll start the next round with an extra card. Winning is nice. But it makes everything harder.
Three wins — and a satisfied kitty
The game ends when someone wins the third round. It happened in twenty minutes. Some already want to play again. Some already claim to have figured out the system. That's not true. The kitty is unpredictable. Play again.
How to play
The flow of each round
Four quick phases, repeated for three victory rounds. You'll learn in five minutes.
Draw a card from the deck and place the marker on the numbered track. This secret number is everyone's goal — but no one sees it directly.
The deck is shuffled and dealt. Whoever won the previous round receives an extra card. First-time players receive the basic hand.
In order, each player places a card under one of the six objects. When each object has two cards, the values are summed. Each player moves their marker on the track to their total sum.
The player whose marker is closest to the cat without having passed it wins the round and advances on their personal tracker. Whoever reaches three wins, wins the game.
Why it's different from others
Six mechanics that make a difference
Integrated automatic handicap
Whoever wins receives an extra card in the next round. No special rules needed — the game self-balances, keeping everyone in the race.
The secret number as tension
The marker's value is hidden at the start. Playing cards is an exercise in estimation and observation — not pure calculation. Not knowing is precisely the point.
Reading opponents
The cards others play change your strategy in real time. Watching where they place their cards is as important as choosing your own.
Lightning-fast games and replayability
Twenty minutes and you start again. The game is short enough to play three games in one evening — and each time the cat's position changes everything.
Zero entry barriers
Rules in five minutes, no complicated setup, no asymmetry to explain. It works with everyone — from children to expert filler lovers.
Winning isn't always the right move
Winning a round puts you at a disadvantage in the next. This creates unexpected tension: sometimes it's better to let a win go to stay light. A decision no other game asks of you.
How it ends
Two ways to score, one to lose
You don't need to be perfect — just closer to the kitty than others. Without going over.
Round Victory
- Your marker is closer to the cat without having passed it
- Multiple players can win simultaneously if they are at the same distance
- Whoever wins three total rounds wins the game
Elimination from the round
- Your marker passes the cat's position — you're out of that round
- If everyone passes the cat, whoever passed it by the least wins
- No definitive elimination — the next round is played again
Don't Say Cat... is one of those games you pull out when you want to play but don't want to explain a manual. Twenty minutes, any group, always works.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ about Don't Say Cat...
What makes this game different from other card fillers?
The automatic handicap system: whoever wins a round starts with more cards in hand in the next, making the next victory harder. It's not just a game of luck — there's constant reading of opponents and the cards they play. A lot more happens in twenty minutes than it seems.
Is it always advisable to aim to win every round?
Not necessarily. Winning gives you points but complicates your next hand. Sometimes the smartest strategy is to stay close to the cat without winning — to reach the decisive round with more freedom of movement. It's one of the most interesting tensions of the game.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, it is recommended for ages 8 and up. The rules are simple, the concept of "getting close without going over" is intuitive, and the short duration keeps even younger players engaged. It works well as a first game or to include young players in a mixed evening.
How many players does it work best with?
With 4-5 players, you get the most complete experience — there's enough interaction between the cards played to make reading opponents interesting. With 3, it's more direct and fast. With 6, it's more chaotic but still fun. The game scales well in all cases.
Is the rulebook in Italian?
Yes, this is the Italian edition published by Ghenos Games — the rulebook is entirely in Italian. You can start playing immediately without looking for online translations.
Is it worth sleeving the cards?
The cards are shuffled often every round, so if you plan to play it regularly, sleeves are a good idea. The format is 56×87mm for a total of 52 cards — a minimal investment to protect a game you use often.
Don't Say Cat... is a party deduction and hand management board game for 3–6 players (ages 8+, duration ~20 min). Italian edition published by Ghenos Games. Original: Cat Between Us (BGG #433074). Main mechanic: hand management with progressive automatic handicap system. Players place cards under six objects to get as close as possible to the secret marker value, without exceeding it. Whoever wins a round receives an extra card in the next. Whoever wins three rounds wins the game. Includes 42 Bait cards, 6 Toy cards, 4 Room cards, player and cat markers, round tracker. Recommended sleeves 56×87mm. Available on FroGames.it.
Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
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