Why I Otter

About this board game

Why I Otter is a two-player card game with a 15-minute play time, in which players recruit otters, compete for rewards, and build the scoring conditions that determine the winner.

The river is filled with otters of different shapes and sizes. Each round, players create the river, jump in with an otter, and distribute the rewards. The first player plays a card face-up with its otter side showing, followed by their opponent.

Both cards are then assessed using a rock-paper-scissors mechanic. A higher card number breaks ties, giving players another factor to consider when choosing which otter to play. The round winner collects the rewards, while the loser chooses which card becomes an endgame scoring card.

• Play otter cards face-up into the river.
• Resolve each round with rock-paper-scissors and card numbers.
• Let the round winner collect rewards.
• Allow the round loser to choose a scoring card.

The winner of each round goes first in the next one. Rounds continue until both players have played every card in their hands, creating a complete set of scoring conditions for the final tally.

After all otters have been played, each player scores the otters in their den according to the conditions shown on the four river cards. Because the loser selects the scoring card while the winner takes the rewards, every round presents a meaningful choice. In Why I Otter, success depends on both winning the right contests and shaping the rules that will score your den at the end.