Party Games · Card Games · How to Play
How to Play Exploding Kittens — Rules, Setup & Strategy
A kitty-powered game of Russian roulette that turned game nights into chaos worldwide. Here's everything you need to start playing in under five minutes — plus where to buy the real thing in India.
What is Exploding Kittens?
Exploding Kittens is a wildly popular card game where the only rule that really matters is simple: don't draw the kitten that explodes. Everyone takes turns pulling cards from a shared deck. Most cards are harmless — but somewhere in there are the Exploding Kittens, and the moment you draw one, you're out. Unless, of course, you've been clever enough to hold on to a Defuse card.
It became a phenomenon for a reason. Exploding Kittens is the most-backed project in Kickstarter history, funded by over 219,000 backers who pledged around $8.7 million — a record that still stands. Since then it has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. The artwork comes from Matthew Inman of The Oatmeal, which is why every card looks like a meme that escaped the internet.
Quick Facts
Who is Exploding Kittens perfect for?
This is the game you reach for when you want noise, laughter and a little harmless betrayal. It fits almost any table:
- Friends & flatmates — the chaos and the "Nope!" wars make it a weekend-night favourite.
- Family game nights — simple enough that parents, kids (7+) and grandparents all keep up.
- Cousins at every function — the one game that survives a full Indian family gathering without anyone reading a rulebook.
- House parties & hostels — the Party Edition's 10-player support means the whole room plays together.
- First-time board gamers — no strategy degree required; you'll be laughing by turn two.
How to Play Exploding Kittens (Step by Step)
If you can shuffle a deck, you can play this. Here's the whole game in plain language.
The goal
Be the last player who hasn't exploded. That's it. Everyone else gets knocked out one by one — you just have to survive longest.
Setup
- Take out all the Exploding Kitten cards and Defuse cards and set them aside for now.
- Shuffle the rest and deal 7 cards to each player, then give everyone 1 Defuse card to keep in hand.
- Put the remaining Defuse cards back into the deck.
- Insert Exploding Kittens equal to one less than the number of players (so 4 players = 3 kittens). Shuffle them in and place the deck in the middle.
On your turn
A turn has two parts, and only the second part is compulsory:
- Play as many cards as you like (or none). Action cards let you peek, skip, attack, steal or shuffle — more on those below.
- Draw one card from the deck to end your turn. This is where the danger lives.
If the card you draw is harmless, you simply add it to your hand and play passes to the left. If it's an Exploding Kitten… you only survive if you can immediately play a Defuse card. The Defuse lets you secretly slide that kitten back anywhere into the deck — top, bottom, or sneakily near the next player. No Defuse? You explode and you're out.
The cards that change everything
| Card | What it does |
|---|---|
| Defuse | Saves you from an Exploding Kitten. Reinsert the kitten anywhere in the deck. |
| Skip | End your turn instantly — no drawing a card. |
| Attack | End your turn without drawing, and force the next player to take two turns. |
| See the Future | Secretly peek at the top three cards of the deck. |
| Shuffle | Shuffle the deck — handy when you know a kitten is on top. |
| Favor | Force another player to hand you a card of their choice. |
| Nope | Cancel anyone's action — and yes, a Nope can be Nope'd back. |
| Cat cards | Harmless alone, but two matching cats let you steal a random card. |
How to win
Keep surviving until everyone else has drawn their kitten without a Defuse. The last player standing wins — usually while everyone else demands an immediate rematch.
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Where to buy Exploding Kittens in India
Counterfeit card games are everywhere online — thin cards, washed-out printing, missing pieces. Turnwise exists to fix exactly that. Every game we sell is 100% authentic, hand-checked, and shipped in damage-free packaging.
Exploding Kittens Party Edition
Turnwise is a curated, honestly-priced board game store built for Indian game nights — no third-party seller risk, no fakes, just real games delivered fast. It's the simplest way to buy the genuine Exploding Kittens online in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play Exploding Kittens?
On your turn, play any action cards you want, then draw one card to end your turn. If you draw an Exploding Kitten you're out — unless you play a Defuse card to survive and slip the kitten back into the deck. The last player who hasn't exploded wins.
How many players is Exploding Kittens for?
The Party Edition supports 2 to 10 players, which makes it great for big groups and house parties. It plays best with 4–6.
What age is Exploding Kittens suitable for?
Ages 7 and up. The rules are simple enough for children while staying genuinely fun for teens and adults.
How long does a game take?
About 15 minutes per round — perfect for "just one more game" that turns into five.
What is the price of Exploding Kittens in India?
On Turnwise, the Exploding Kittens Party Edition is ₹799 (MRP ₹1,199) with free shipping across India.
Where can I buy authentic Exploding Kittens online in India?
At Turnwise — 100% authentic copies, free shipping nationwide, and same-day delivery in Bangalore.
Ready to make someone explode?
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Buy Exploding Kittens on Turnwise →Also on Turnwise: Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza · Dobble · Flip 7 · View all games
