An overdue refresh of the card game classic – Snap. Players repeat on loop a word from the mantra “Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza” out loud whilst turning over illustrated cards. If they happen to verbalise the picture depicted on a card at the same time its placed, they must ensure they’re not the last to claim the audio-visual match by slamming their hand down on the pile.
The object of the game is to be the first to rid your hand of all cards. The deck is distributed face down amongst the players until exhausted (or 12 cards for 5 or less players). Each individual player deck remains face down in front of them. The starting player turns over their top card, placing into the middle declaring “Taco”, the next player clockwise, turns over theirs and places it atop the first player’s card saying “Cat”. Play continues clockwise with players revealing cards and looping round the manta “Taco” “Cat” “Goat” “Cheese” “Pizza” until a card placed down matches the word spoken.taco time
so far, so snap
When there’s an audio-visual match it’s a reflex scramble for all players to place their palms atop the card pile. The last to add to the palm pile is ‘rewarded’ by ‘winning’ the pile of cards adding them to the bottom of their individual deck.
So far, so Snap. However, there are two additional mechanics to spice up the verbal-visual jousting:
Back Cards
many of the cards have the image and word reversed – so we see the back of a cat or goat (paired with the word ‘tac’ or ‘taog’). If a verbal-visual match is declared on one of these cards’ players must slap their hand down reversed – with the palm up. The first hand in the pile that doesn’t conform (so not necessarily the last hand placed down) ‘wins’ the card pile.
Animal Special Cards
scattered throughout the deck are cards depicting three other animals – a moose, panda and sea lion. As soon as a special card is placed face up on the central pile all players must race to perform a specific action before slapping their hand down on the pile. Last to conform wins the pile.
knuckle duster free zone
In the spirit of a pain-free game for all, do ensure everyone removes their sentimental knuckle dusters and other finger adornments beforehand. This is a high hand-clatter game – no need to make it a bloody dalliance.
The publisher states age 8+ on the box but I’m not entirely sure why this is – there’s no small components here – it’s essentially just a deck of cards.
Do be aware if your younger mini-folk are prone to disagreements you may be required to occasionally dust off that umpire seat and setup the cameras for a photo finish to adjudicate any contested knuckle slam.
Although the minimum player count is listed as 2, it only gets worthwhile and fun if there’s at least 3 or 4 of you playing. The more participating the more frequent the false starts, hand entanglement, word confusion and merriment that ensues. 6-8 players is the sweet spot.
inventive simplicity
I’m truly appalling at this game but I respectfully doff my cap to its inventive simplicity – it’s a worthy fun refresh of a tired classic that shouldn’t be so swiftly overlooked.
Low
2-8
20 mins
Easy
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