Cat Blues

About this board game

Cat Blues is a quick, cutthroat card game for 2–6 players that combines rummy and auction rules in a colorful package, with games lasting around 30 minutes.

First released as Katzenjammer Blues in 1998, Cat Blues stands out as an unusual hybrid rather than a straightforward example of either genre. Its card play brings together the familiar identity of rummy with the competitive tension of auctions, creating a distinctive experience in a compact format.

The game also adds a couple of unexpected ideas to its scoring and ending conditions. The game ends once 20 points in total have been scored, giving the overall contest a clear limit and helping maintain its brisk pace.

• Players: 2–6
• Playing time: approximately 30 minutes
• Core blend: rummy and auction rules
• Scoring twist: a 5-point penalty for most jokers

Jokers are especially significant: holding most of them comes with a substantial 5-point penalty. That unusual rule adds another sharp edge to the decisions around scoring and helps explain the game’s cutthroat character.

Visually, Cat Blues is decorated with cartoon-style cats and mice presented as a blues band, giving the game a playful musical theme. For players looking for a short card game with an unconventional rules mix, a firm scoring endpoint, and a memorable presentation, Cat Blues offers a distinctive take on rummy and auctions.