Pick-a-Dog

About this board game

Pick-a-Dog is a fast card-grabbing game for 1–5 players that takes about 15 minutes to play. Its individual game is described for 2–5 players, while combining it with Pick-a-Pig supports up to eight players.

Each card shows a character with five two-state attributes: large or small, light or dark, one or two arms, with or without sunglasses, and with or without popcorn. To begin, place 30 cards in a grid and give each player one face-down card. With 6–8 players, use 49 cards instead.

When someone calls “Go!”, everyone reveals their card and races to build a stack. You may take a card from the grid only if it is identical to the top card in your hand or differs from it in exactly one way. Every new card changes the comparison point, so your next match may require a different combination of attributes.

• Spot matching cards under pressure.
• Keep adapting as the top card changes.
• Choose when to stop before another player does.

When a player believes no more cards can be taken, they shout “Stop!” The round ends and everyone checks their stacks. A mistake means losing all cards gathered that round. If the player who stopped was correct, they receive an extra card—or two cards in a 6–8-player game. If they stopped too soon, they lose the entire round’s collection.

The player with the most collected cards when the game ends wins. Pick-a-Dog offers a lively test of visual recognition, speed, and judgment, with every grab immediately creating a new challenge.