Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
If you love fast, cut‑throat card games with plenty of tricks, Ratjack will hook you.
Highlights
- Simple, quick rules
- Fun card abilities
- High player interaction
Keep in mind
- Elimination can end games early
- Some luck in draws
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Welcome to Ratcity Casino, the haunt of the boldest rodents! In Ratjack, 2‑4 players gather around a central draw pile. Each deck holds twelve cards numbered 1‑12, and every number carries a unique special ability that can swing the game in your favor or sabotage an opponent. At the start, everyone gets one face‑down card in front of them and a single card in hand. On your turn you draw one card from the central deck and then choose among three actions: place a card face‑down in front of you (saving it for later), play a card face‑up and trigger its ability immediately, or discard a card to flip one of your face‑down cards and activate its power. Abilities range from swapping values, forcing others to discard, to shifting who’s in front of whom. The goal is straightforward: keep the total value of your cards at 25 or less, because any player who exceeds 25 is instantly eliminated. The last player standing wins, or you can clinch victory by hitting exactly 25. The game is quick (15‑30 minutes), light, and full of twists, ideal for fans of take‑that and hand‑management. Player elimination adds tension, as every choice might be someone’s last. Ratjack blends animal humor, hand‑management mechanics, and aggressive interactions into short, noisy, and highly entertaining rounds.
Expansions
Published additional content
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
In English
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
REC
3
BEST
4
REC
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Studio H, Across the Board, asmodee, Broadway Toys LTD, Frosted Games, Hachette Boardgames UK, Rexhry, White Goblin Games
Designer
Mathieu Can, Maxime Mercier
Artist
Zael
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
1,657owners
338wishlist
37want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players can play?
2 to 4 players.
How long does a game take?
Usually 15–30 minutes, depending on player count.
What is the complexity level?
Very low – simple draw‑play‑discard mechanics, great for beginners.
What components are included?
Cards (4 decks of 12 cards each), score markers and rulebook.
Who is the game best suited for?
Fans of quick card games with take‑that and player elimination.
Is there a digital version?
Yes, you can play it on Board Game Arena or as a TableTop Simulator mod.
Do I need to translate the cards for Portuguese play?
The cards are printed in English; many groups use a translation sheet or proxy cards for PT‑BR sessions.
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