
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,444
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Mmm!
- 1–6 players
- 15–20 min
- Complexity 1.3/5
- 2015

2009
Rules assistance for Catch the Mice
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Catch the Mice is a board game released in 2009 for 2–4 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Reiner Knizia and its main mechanics are Push Your Luck and Dice Rolling.
In Catch the Mice players are hungry cats, trying to catch colored mice – but you probably already figured that out from the title. On a turn, a player rolls the two dice, then "catches" a mouse of the color showing on the dice, assuming the player hasn't already collected that color this turn. If you roll the same color on both dice, you steal a mouse from your opponent! You may keep rolling but if you can't catch a mouse after a die roll, you lose everything. The game ends when there are no mice left, and points are scored for captured mice. Polar Derby features the same game play as Catch the Mice but instead of mice players collect bears on roller skates, which is completely ridiculous and unbelievable. Bears on pogo sticks, sure, but not roller skates...
Catch the Mice supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Catch the Mice is 20 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Catch the Mice for ages 8 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Catch the Mice has a complexity rating of 1.1 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Catch the Mice belongs to these categories: Animals, Children's Game, and Dice. Its main mechanics are Push Your Luck and Dice Rolling. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Catch the Mice are: Reiner Knizia. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Catch the Mice as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.