- BGG rank
- BGG #3,552
- BGG rating
- 7.1
VIVO
- 3–4 players
- 20–30 min
- Complexity 1.4/5
- 2024
- BGG rank
- BGG #22,435
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Mate
2026
Rules assistance for Mate
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–4 players
- 30–40 min
- 10+
For 3 players
Rules assistant for Mate
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Mate is a board game released in 2026 for 3–4 players, 30–40 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by LEO (レオ) and its main mechanics are Trick-taking.
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About the game
Players take the role of eager dogs waiting for commands, trying to understand when to stay still and when to go for the prize. Each trick represents a tense moment between “Wait!” and “Go!”, where winning at the wrong time can cost points, but acting at the perfect moment earns rewards. With cute dog artwork and shifting goals, the game captures the playful anxiety of obedience training. Mate is a trick-taking game in which each round uses an instruction card: “Stay” or “Go.” Players must follow suit if possible; if they cannot, they may play any card. The winner of each trick is determined by the number shown on the instruction card: cards matching that number act as trump, and if no trump is played, the highest number wins, with later-played tied numbers winning. Winning a “Stay” trick gives negative points, while winning a “Go” trick gives positive points equal to the number on the winning card. At the start of the game, players discard cards from their hand to adjust their options, and bonus treats are awarded for matching numbers in certain “Go” tricks, creating a push-and-pull between avoiding bad tricks and timing your wins.
Questions and answers
Mate supports 3–4 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 Mate is 30–40 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 Mate for ages 10 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.
Mate belongs to these categories: Card Game and Animals. Its main mechanics are Trick-taking. 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 Mate are: LEO (レオ). 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 Mate 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.