Official Exploding Kittens Rules

Last Updated on July 22, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Exploding Kittens is a strategic card game where players draw cards until someone draws an Exploding Kitten, at which point they explode and are out of the game—unless they have a Defuse card. This page provides a clear breakdown of the rules, guiding you through the card actions, defusing strategies, and the suspenseful moments that define this game.

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How to Play Exploding Kittens

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OBJECTIVE

The goal of Exploding Kittens is to be the last player remaining in the game without drawing an Exploding Kitten card.

2-4 Players (All ages)

OVERVIEW

Exploding Kittens is a push-your-luck, take-that party game where players draw cards each turn and try to avoid drawing an Exploding Kitten. If you draw one, you explode and are out of the game—unless you have a Defuse card. All other cards help you avoid or manipulate the risk of drawing a Kitten. The last remaining player wins.

COMPONENTS

• 56 Cards:
  • 4 Exploding Kittens
  • 6 Defuse Cards
  • 5 See the Future
  • 4 Attack
  • 4 Skip
  • 4 Favor
  • 4 Shuffle
  • 5 Nope
  • 4 Taco Cat
  • 4 Hairy Potato Cat
  • 4 Rainbow Ralphing Cat
  • 4 Beard Cat
  • 4 Cattermelon
  • 6 Instructions reference cards

SETUP

1. Remove all Exploding Kitten and Defuse cards from the deck.
2. Deal each player:
   • 1 Defuse card
   • 7 random cards from the deck
   • (Each player starts with 8 cards total)
3. Return any remaining Defuse cards to the deck.
4. Add Exploding Kittens back into the deck:
   • Use one fewer Exploding Kitten than the number of players (e.g., 3 Kittens for 4 players).
   • Remove any extra Kittens from the game.
5. Shuffle the remaining deck and place it face down in the center.
6. Leave room for a discard pile.
7. Pick a starting player randomly.

2–3 Player Variant: Before step 4, randomly remove one-third of the deck to speed up the game. Then add Exploding Kittens and continue setup.

GAMEPLAY

On Your Turn:

1. Play cards (optional):
   • You may play as many cards as you want.
   • Follow the action described on each card.
   • Discard played cards face-up in the discard pile.
2. End your turn by drawing 1 card from the top of the Draw Pile.
   • If it’s not an Exploding Kitten, add it to your hand.
   • If it is an Exploding Kitten:
     • If you have a Defuse card, play it immediately to stay alive.
       • Then secretly place the Exploding Kitten back into the Draw Pile wherever you want (top, middle, bottom, or count specific cards).
     • If you do not have a Defuse, you explode and are out of the game.
       • Discard all your cards.
3. Play continues clockwise.

END OF THE GAME

• Play continues until all players but one have exploded.
• The last surviving player wins.

CARD EFFECTS

Exploding Kitten (4x)

• If drawn, you must play a Defuse or you’re eliminated.

Defuse (6x)

• Cancels an Exploding Kitten.
• After playing it, secretly reinsert the Kitten into the Draw Pile.
• You can count cards or bluff.

Nope (5x)

• Cancels the effect of any Action card.
• Can be played out of turn.
• Cannot be used on Exploding Kitten or Defuse.
• “Nope” can be “Nope’d.”

Attack (4x)

• End your turn without drawing.
• The next player must take 2 turns (i.e., draw two cards at the end of their turns unless countered).
• Can be stacked.

Skip (4x)

• End your turn immediately without drawing.
• If you’re under attack, this skips only 1 of your required draws.

Favor (4x)

• Choose another player. They must give you 1 card of their choice.

Shuffle (4x)

• Shuffle the Draw Pile. Useful if you suspect a Kitten is on top.

See the Future (5x)

• Privately view the top 3 cards of the Draw Pile (in order).
• Do not rearrange them.

Cat Cards (Taco Cat, Hairy Potato Cat, Beard Cat, Rainbow Ralphing Cat, Cattermelon)

• Have no abilities when played alone.
• Two of a Kind (matching Cat Cards): Choose a player and steal a random card from them.
• Three of a Kind: Name a specific card. If the named player has it, they must give it to you.

STRATEGY TIPS

• Keep a Defuse card as long as possible.
• Use See the Future often to anticipate danger.
• Skip and Shuffle wisely when you suspect an imminent explosion.
• Bluffing is allowed. Pretend to insert an Exploding Kitten in a different spot.
• Use Nope at critical moments to disrupt plans.

NOTES

• No hand limit.
• Running out of cards in hand does not eliminate you.
• You are only eliminated if you draw a Kitten and cannot Defuse.
• You may play cards before drawing on your turn, but drawing ends your turn.

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That’s the basic gameplay of Exploding Kittens! It’s a fast-paced and unpredictable game that combines strategy, luck, and a healthy dose of humor. Enjoy defusing those kittens!